PHYSIOGNOMY OF PLANTS. 27 



been speaking, are the rigid self-supporting growth and bluish 

 hue of the form of Aloes, ( 26 ) which, instead of pliant stems 

 and branches of enormous length, are either without stems 

 altogether, or have branchless stems. The leaves, which 

 are succulent, thick, and fleshy, and terminate in long points, 

 radiate from a centre and form a closely crowded tuft. The 

 tall-stemmed aloes are not found in close clusters or thickets 

 like other social or gregarious plants or trees ; they stand 

 singly in arid plains, and impart thereby to the tropical 

 regions in which they are found a peculiar, melancholy, and 

 I would almost venture to call it, African character. Taking 

 for our guides resemblance in physiognomy, and influence 

 on the impression produced by the landscape, we place 

 together under the head of the Aloe form, (from among the 

 Bromeliacese) the Pitcairnias, which in the chain of the 

 Andes grow out of clefts in the rocks ; the great Pournetia 

 pyramidata, (the Atschupalla of the elevated plains of New 

 Granada); the American Aloe, (Agave); Bromelia aranas 

 and B. karatas ; from among the Euphorbiacese the rare 

 species which have thick short candelabra-like divided 

 stems ; from the family of Asphodelese the African Aloe 

 and the Dragon tree, (Dracaena draco) ; and lastly, from 

 among the Liliaceee, the tall flowering Yucca. 



If the Aloe form is characterised by an almost mournful 

 repose and immobility, the form of Graminese, ( 27 ) especially 

 the physiognomy of arborescent grasses, is characterised, on 

 the contrary, by an expression of cheerfulness and of airy 

 grace and tremulous lightness, combined with lofty stature. 

 Both in the East and West Indies groves of Bamboo form 



