106 SYLVA FLOMFERA. 



which are the largest, display in colouring 

 the happiest harmony combined with gaiety 

 that can be conceived ; the whole resembling 

 a well disposed mass of gems, including all 

 the tints of amethyst, ruby, garnet, topaz, 

 turquoise, and emerald, sprinkled with jet 

 and pearls. This fine flower requires the heat 

 of a stove in our climate, but in the West 

 Indies it is much cultivated as an ornamental 

 climber for arbours and covered walks, for 

 which itsj;apid growth, large foliage, and beau- 

 tiful and flagrant bloom, make it admirably 

 adapted; but the advantage of this splendid 

 covering is more than counter-balanced by the 

 danger which lurks in its shade, as it is said 

 to be peculiarly liable to be infested by the 

 most noxious serpents, who haunt it for the 

 sake of the mice and squirrels that feed upon 

 the fruit, and are the favourite prey of these 

 reptiles. The fruit of this species of passion- 

 flower is nearly as large as the egg of a swan, 

 but of a more oblong shape, and of a grateful 

 sweetish acid taste. It is grown in great per- 

 fection in the hothouse of the Comtesse de 

 Vandes, at Bayswater, near Kensington, and 

 was cultivated in England as long back as 

 1760, by Mr. P. Miller. 



The common passion-flower generally 

 sends up numerous suckers, by which it is 



