192 LANGUAGE OF FLOWERS. 
PERUVIAN HELIOTROPE. 
DEVOTED ATTACHMENT. 
This flower has been confounded with the sun- 
flower, though it is of a different genus, and totally 
unlike the latter. To both has been ascribed the 
property of turning towards the sun, and following 
his course round the horizon ; a property not con- 
fined to these flowers, as there are others that do 
the same in a greater or less degree. 
The blossoms of the Heliotrope form clusters of 
very small, delicate, fragrant flowers, generally of a 
faint purple colour, or white, sometimes red, and 
bluish white. It is, as its name implies, a native 
of Peru, where it was discovered by the celebrated 
Jussieu. While botanizing one day in the Cordil- 
leras, he suddenly found himself overpowered by 
an intoxicating perfume. He looked around, ex- 
pecting to find some gaudy flower or other from 
which it proceeded, but could perceive nothing but 
