THE PASSION-FLOWER. 
189 
interlace the branches of the most gigantic trees, that 
even when their trunks have been severed, they are 
prevented from falling by this apparently fragile, but 
firm support. 
Chateaubriand gives a vivid description of the luxu¬ 
riance of this species of tropical vegetation. “ Trees 
of all forms, of all colours, and of all perfumes,” says 
he, “ grow mingled together, overhanging the currents 
of the stream, scattered through the valleys, or ascending 
the steep sides of rocks and mountains, to inaccessible 
heights, whither the eye is pained by following them: 
the wild vine, the Bignonia, the Paullinia, interlace at 
the foot of these, scale their branches, and creep to the 
very extremity of their boughs; from whence they 
sweep in festoons, from the maple to the tulip-tree, from 
the tulip-tree to the mahogany; forming grottoes, vaults, 
and porticoes, endless in number and variety. Some¬ 
times, straying from their supports, the Lianes traverse 
creeks of the rivers, over which they stretch verdant 
bridges, radiant with flowers: from the bosom of these 
masses, the magnolia elevates its stately pyramid, sur¬ 
mounted with dazzling white roses, and towers over the 
forest without a rival, except the palm, which balances 
near its fanlike leaves.” There may be something too 
much of poetic colouring in this glowing picture of the 
