PHYSIOGNOMY OF PLANTS. 245 



laurel-oaks of Mexico 5 or groups of plantains overshadowed Iby 

 arborescent grasses (Guaduas and Bamboos) ! It is the artist's 

 privilege, having studied these groups, to analyze them : and thus 

 in his hands the grand and beautiful form of nature which he would 

 portray resolves itself (if I may venture on the expression), like the 

 written works of men^ into a few simple elements. 



It is under the burning rays of a tropical sun that vegetation dis- 

 plays its most majestic forms. In the cold north the bark of trees 

 is covered with lichens and mosses, whilst between the tropics the 

 Cymbidium and fragrant Vanilla enliven the trunks of the Anacar- 

 dias, and of the gigantic fig trees. The fresh verdure of the Pothos 

 leaves, and of the Dracontias, contrasts with the many-colored flowers 

 of the Orchideae. Climbing Bauhinias, Passifloras, and yellow flower- 

 ing Banisterias, twine round the trunks of the forest trees. , Delicate 

 blossoms spring from the roots of the Theobroma, and from the thick 

 and rough bark of the Crescentias and the Ghistavia. ( 35 ) In the 

 midst of this profusion of flowers and fruits, and in the luxuriant 

 intertwinings of the climbing plants, the naturalist often finds it 

 difficult to discover to which stem the different leaves and flowers 

 really belong. A single tree adorned with Paullinias, Bignonias, 

 and Dendrobium, forms a group of plants which, if disentangled 

 and separated from each other, would cover a considerable space of 

 ground. 



In the tropics vegetation is generally of a fresher verdure, more 

 luxuriant and succulent, and adorned with larger and more shining 

 leaves, than in our northern climates. The "social" plants, which 

 often impart so uniform and monotonous a character to European 

 countries, are almost entirely absent in the Equatorial regions. Trees 

 almost as lofty as our oaks are adorned with flowers as large and as 

 beautiful as our lilies. On the shady banks of the Rio Magdalena 

 in South America, there grows a climbing Aristolochia bearing 

 flowers four feet in circumference, which the Indian boys draw over 

 their heads in sport, and wear as hats or helmets. ( 36 ) In the islands 

 of the Indian Archipelago, the flower of the Rafflesia is nearly three 

 feet in diameter, and weighs above fourteen pounds. 



The great elevation attained in several tropical countries, not only 

 by single mountains but even by extensive districts, enables the 



21* 



