[Plate 38.] 



THE GATJNTLETTED TACSONIA. 



(tacsonia manicata.) 

 A Greenhouse Creeper, from Peru, belonging to the Order of Passionworts. 



Specific Character. 



THE GATJNTLETTED TACSONIA. — Bracts entire, united at the base, downy, longer than the tube of the calyx. 

 Leaves downy on the under side, smooth on the upper, divided below the middle into three serrated lobes. Leaf- 

 stalks with several glands. Stipules roundish, toothed in a crested manner. 



Tacsonia manicata: Jussieu in Annates du Museum, vol. vi., t. 59, f. 2. 



E believe this species to be unrivalled among climbers, for the brilliant scarlet of 

 its gorgeous blossoms. Placed by their side, the red coat of an English soldier 

 becomes dull and pale. It is a native of Peru, and probably common there, for many 

 botanical travellers have observed it. Humboldt and Bonpland brought some varieties 

 from the city of Loxa; Hartweg says that it is found in hedges near that place j and it 

 forms No. 1,294 of Linden's Herbarium, gathered by his collectors Funck and Schlim, in 

 the province of Merida, at the elevation of 7,000 feet above the sea. 



It forms a rambling climber, with grey three-lobed leaves and large scarlet flowers, whose 

 tube is almost concealed by three downy bracts, from which circumstance we presume that 

 Jussieu gave it the name of the gauntletted (or manieate) ; it must be owned that the 

 tube of the flower may not unaptly be compared to an arm thrust into a large loose glove. 

 The coronet consists of two principal rows of short violet teeth planted on the green 

 tube of the calyx-lining. 



Upon what precise ground the Tacsonias are separated from the Passionflowers is by 

 no means clear. De Candolle relies upon the former having a very long tube to the 



