PASSIFLORA CERULEA; 



OR, 



COMMON BLUE PASSION-FLOWER. 



All the Passifloras claim the admh-ing eye, nor is this, though the most common, as thriving 

 well out of doors, the least attractive. It was discovered in the Brazils, and its wonders were 

 soon proclaimed to Christian kingdoms as representing the Passion of our Lord, whence its pre- 

 sent appellation. The leaves were said exactly to resemble the spear that pierced our Saviour's 

 side ; the tendrils, the cords that bound his hands, or the ivhips that scourged him ; the ten 

 petals the apostles, Judas having betrayed, and Peter deserted ; the pillar in the center was the 

 cross or tree ; the stamina, the hammers ; the styles, the nails ; the inner circle about the central 

 pillar, the 'croii>n of thorns; the radiance, the glory; the white in the flower, the emblem of 

 purity; and the blue, the type o{ heaven. On one of the species, the Passiflora alata, even drops 

 of blood were seen upon the cross or tree. The flower was three days open, and then dis- 

 appeared, denoting the resurrection. At last this wondrous flower was brought from the Brazils 

 to Europi, and became a denizon of our gardens in the year 1699. We shall now examine 

 this plant botanically. It is a climbing plant, remarkable for the growth of its shoots, rising in 

 a few months above fifteen feet. The stem is round and fluted. At distinct distances proceed 

 two stipules balf-moon-shaped, on each side the leaf which is palmate, that is, divided into five 

 pointed lobes, and the lesser lobe is often sublobed. From out the axilla of the petiolus of the 

 leaf proceed first the Joiner, and next a tendril. The first stage of the flower is protected by a 

 calyx, which, as afterwards appearing somewhat remote from the flower, is called an involucre; 

 this is composed of three intire orbicular leaves, paler than the common leaves, and half the 

 size of the true caly.v, which opens by degrees, displaying how curiously the organs for repro- 

 duction are enwrapped within its coverings. The calyx leaves are exteriorly green, and termi- 

 nate with a hook, but as these leaves are united at their base, it is in fact monophyllous (a single 

 leaf), divided into five segments. The croolla consists of five distinct fleshy petals. The Nec- 

 tary beautifully radiates over these, and consists of two rows of threads, arising purple, then 

 they possess a circular band of white, and terminate in blue interspersed with spots. There is 

 next a ditch or hollow, in the middle of which arises an upright row of short purple threads ; then 

 appears a mound of coalesced ivhite threads, which detach into short purple threads converging 

 around the column. At the basis of this column, so protected, lies the cell, in which the honey 

 is deposited, and a gland may be found in the center of this cell for the purpose of secreting 

 the honey. There is also a lid affixed to the column, which covers the honey-cell. At a short 

 distance up this column proceed the &ycf laments. These are broad, and become arched; and 

 at each end is a hook, to which are attached the back of the oblong anthers, which occasions 

 them very readily to vibrate at every breath of wind. The anthers on their under sides have 

 two bags filled with farina, each of which opens in the center like a portmanteau. At the 

 place of insertion of the five stamina is the germen, whence proceed the three styles, upright, 

 as' may be seen at the first opening of the flower, and then gradually depending more and more 



