NAT. ORDER. 



PassifloTcce. 



PASSIFLORA CCERULEA. THE PASSION FLOWER. 



Class XVI. MoNADELPHiA. OrdcT II. Pentandria. 



Gen. Char. Petals five. Cotyledons two. Stamens five, inserted 

 into the calyx. Corolla with an imbricated aestivation, glandular 

 leaves. 



Sjie. Char. Ovarmm seated on a long stalk. Fruit surrounded by 

 the calyx, one-celled, three-valved. Seeds attached. Flowers 

 terminal. 



This beautiful plant is the pride of South America and the West 

 Indies, where the forests are filled with their numerous and splendid 

 varieties, which spread themselves from tree to tree, bearing innu- 

 merable quantities of flowers of striking beauty and singularity ; in- 

 deed such was the estimation in which they were held by the Span- 

 iards, who first discovered and settled the American continent, that 

 they attached to their history many Christian traditions, which they 

 failed not to disseminate among the aborigines of the country. The 

 fruit, which is most tempting in appearance, delicious and refreshing 

 to the palate, was also made an instrument subsersive to their religious 

 zelotry, as it was invariably spoken of as one of the especial gifts of 

 Divine Providence bestowed upon the inhabitants of the wilderness, 

 whereby they might enjoy continued happiness and comfort. 



The drawing or the plate which represents this beautiful spe- 

 jimen of the floral tribe, was taken from nature by Mrs. C. Norton 

 )f this city, the correctness and accuracy of which can only be sur- 



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