56 FLO W E II S AND FRUITS. 



Our species, represented in the plate, is an herbaceous, perennial 

 plant, from three to six feet in height. The leaves, which spring 

 from tli3 root, are of a leathery consistence, deeply channelled, and 

 of a long, narrow shape, furnished with spines or prickles on the 

 edges, thus presenting us with the idea of a regiment of soldiers 

 armed with sharp spears, to protect the precious fruit within. 

 Within this protecting array rises the scape or flower stem from 

 the root. On this scape as on an axis spring forth a number of 

 sessile flowers, which after the process of fructification is comple- 

 ted, produce soft, fleshy fruits, which lying so near each other 

 become crowded, and at last joined together, the small protu- 

 berances on the surface being the only traces of their ever 

 having existed separately. The scape terminates . in a crown of 

 leaves, which surmounts the whole. This agglomerated fruil bears 

 some resemblance to pine cones. For richness of flavor the 

 fruit is considered as unrivalled, its flavor having been described 

 like that of strawberries mixed with wine and sugar. We are told 

 that the White Providence variety, weighs from six to fourteen 

 pounds. It is propagated by seeds when new varieties are requir- 

 ed; but cultivation tends to diminish these so completely, that as 

 a general rule they entirely fail, and the plant can be propagated 

 only by the crown or suckers. Cultivators should remember that 

 it requires much heat and moisture. Tyas in giving the Pine 

 Apple the emblem of You ARE PERFECT, remarks; the fruit of 

 this plant, surrounded by its beautiful leaves, and surmounted by a 

 crown in which the germ of a plant is concealed, seems as though 

 it were sculptured in massy gold. It is so beautiful that it appears 

 to be made to please the eyes, so delicious, that it emits the 

 various flavors of our best fruits, and so oderiferous, that we 

 should cultivate it, if it were^mly for its perfume. 



