the root protected with straw during the winter. It was discovered in the Brazils, brought to Europe, 
and became a denizen of our gardens in the year 1699. 
The name Passion Flower owes its origin to some imaginative Jesuit, who fancied he had found an 
allegorical representation of our Saviour’s passion, or at least, of the instruments of torture, as well as 
other attendant circumstances, in the structure of blossoms, leaves, and tendrils of these curious plants. 
The leaves are compared to the spear or the hand which pierced our Saviour’s side; the tendrils to the 
cords that bound his hands, or the whips that scourged him; the ten petals to the ten apostles, Judas 
having betrayed and Peter deserted him; the pillar in the centre to the cross or tree; the stamens to the 
hammers; the styles to the nails; the inner circle round the central pillar, to the crown of thorns ; the 
radiance, to the glory; the white in the flower to an emblem of his purity; and the blue is a type of 
heaven. 
Hervey in his Meditations on the Flower Garden, vindicates the supposed resemblance, with the 
following words. 
I have read in a profane author, of flowers inscribed with the names of kings, but here is one em- 
blazoned with the marks of the bleeding prince of life. I read in the inspired writings of apostolic men, 
who bore about, in their bodies, the dying of the Lord Jesus; but here is a blooming religioso, that carries 
apparent memorials of the same tremendous and fatal catastrophe. 
Who would have expected to find such a tragedy of woe, exhibited in a collection of the most deli- 
cate delights? Or, to see Calvary’s horrid scene pourtrayed on the softest ornaments of the garden? Is 
nature then actuated by the noble ambition of paying commemorative honours to her agonizing sovereign? 
Is she kindly officious to remind forgetful mortals of that miracle of mercy ; which it is their duty to con- 
template, and their happiness to believe ? Or, is a sportive imagination, my interpreter, and all the suppo- 
sed resemblance, no more than the precarious gloss of fancy? be it so: yet even fancy has her merit, when 
she sets forth in such pleasing imagery, the crucified Jesus. Nor shall I refuse a willing regard to imagi- 
nation herself ; when she employs her creative powers to revive the sense of such unparalleled love, and 
prompt my gratitude to so divine a friend. 
Among all the beauties, that shine in sunny robes, and sip the silver dews; this, J think, has the 
noblest import, if not the finest presence; were they all to pass in review, and expect the award of su- 
periority from my decision, I should not hesitate; a moment be the prize assigned to this amiable candidate, 
which has so eminently distinguished and so highly dignified herself, by bearing such a remarkable resem- 
blance to the righteous branch; the plant of renown. 
Flowers — bright Flowers ! — how many a memory springs 
Back to the heart, in silent hours, and brings 
The vivid crowding thoughts of hopes and fears. 
The rainbow colour’d dreams of other years. 
