SINGLE FUCHSIA. 
Fuchsia gracilis. 
) HIE fuchsia is too modern a 
flower to have a great history, 
but what is known of it his- 
torically is full of interest. 
Strictly speaking, it is not so 
modern as is generally sup- 
posed, for it begins with the 
adventures of Father Plumier, 
who was bor at Marseilles 
in 1646. At the age of six- 
teen Charles) Plumier was 
admitted to the reheious order 
of Minims, and under the 
training of Father Maignan 
he soon became an expert 
mathematician and a practical 
turner. He wrote a remark- 
able book on the art of turn- 
ing, and might have continued turning and calculating, 
save that he had injured his health by too close appheation, 
and turned to the study of botany for occupation and rest. 
He soon became a master of this science, and the friend of 
the great. botanist Tournefort. Three several voyages he 
