SUN-FLOWER. 869 



the enormities which the treacherous Spaniards 

 committed on the plains, where this plant springs 

 spontaneously, led on by the most ravenous ap- 

 petite for plunder, and commanded by that blind 

 bigotry and superstition which darkened the Old 

 World in those days. These infatuated pillagers 

 attempted to enlighten those unfortunate heathens, 

 who, in the simplicity of their hearts, poured out 

 their adorations to the sun as the grandest object 

 which their imagination could conceive. And 

 their glaring and favourite flower will ever remain 

 as a memento of the folly of those who attempt 

 to inspire the ignorant with an idea of pure reli- 

 gion through the assistance of craft and cruelty. 



Had the Spaniards returned to Europe loaded 

 with plants and seeds, which would have been 

 an excitement to industry, instead of gold and 

 precious stones, that naturally lead kingdoms 

 as well as individuals to voluptuous idleness, the 

 Spanish nation might at this period have been 

 one of the most wealthy and happy kingdoms in 

 Europe instead of being impoverished by pride 

 and depopulated by dissension. 



The first mention we have of the annual Sun- 

 flower in this country is by Gerard, who notices 

 it in the year 1596, under the name of " The 

 Flower of the Sunne, or the Marigolde of Peru.'* 

 He tells us, that it had grown to the height of 



Vol. II. 2 B 



