APPENDIX. 859 



lanceolated radical leaves, sinewy and petiolated ; the caulines 

 narrow, embracing the stem, of a grayish-green color. Flowers 

 large, solitary terminals, with broad streaks of a fine yellow, 

 marked with a lively stripe of purple at the base; conical disk of 

 a deep brown ; in blossom from the month of June until Septem- 

 ber. This plant, remarkable for the brilliancy of its flowers, and 

 for the length of time that it continues in bloom, is hardy, and 

 its cultivation requires no particular care. 



YUCA FILAMENTOSA. 



The following interesting account of this plant is from the liftv 

 of Mrs. Margaret Fuller Ossoli : 



" I had kept two plants of the Yuca filamentosa six or seven 

 years, though they had never bloomed. I knew nothing of them, 

 and had no notion of what feelings they would excite. Last June 

 I found in bud the one which had the most favorable exposure. 

 A week or two after, the other, which was more in the shade, put 

 out flower-buds, and I thought I should be able to watch them 

 one after the other ; but no ! the one which was most favored 

 waited for the other, and both flowered together at the full of the 

 moon. This struck me as very singular ; but as soon as I saw 

 the flower by moonlight, I understood it. This flower is made 

 for the moon, as the Heliotrope is for the sun, and refuses other 

 influences, or to display its beauty in any other light. 



" The first night I saw it in flower I was conscious of a peculiar 

 delight, I may even say rapture. Many white flowers are far 

 more beautiful by day; the Lily, for instance, with its firm, 

 thick leaves, needs the broadest light to manifest its purity. But 

 these transparent leaves of greenish white, which look dull in the 

 day, are melted by the moon to glistening silver. And not only 

 does this plant not appear in its destined hue i>y day, but the 

 flower, though as bell-shaped it cannot quite ckse again after 

 having once expanded, yet presses its petals toge'hei as closely 

 as it can, hangs down its little blossoms, and its tall ss^xk at noon 

 seems to have reared itself only to betray a shabby mr^ificance. 



