in Botany, (from ensis, "a sword"); the name of the sixth order in Linnæus's natural method, consisting of plants with sword-shaped leaves. It contains the following genera, viz. Antholyza, Calisia, Commelina, Crocus, Eriocaulon, Ferraria, Gladiolus, Iris, Ixia, Morœa, Pontederia, Sisyrinchium, Tradescantia, Wachendorffia, Xyris. See BOTANY Index.