SUNFLOWER. 
189 
SUNFLOWER. 
FALSE RICHES. 
The Sunflower has been thus named from 
the resemblance which its broad golden disk 
and surrounding rays hear to the sun. On this 
account it was used in its native country by the 
Peruvians, who worshipped that luminary—the 
virgins who officiated in the Temple of the Sun 
being crowned with Sunflowers of pure gold, 
wearing them also at their bosoms, and carrying 
them in their hands. These golden flowers, 
reflecting the rays of their deity, formed a scene 
of dazzling brilliancy. The first Spaniards who 
arrived in Peru were amazed at this profuse 
display of gold, hut they were still more asto¬ 
nished when in May they beheld whole fields 
covered with these flowers, which they concluded 
at first sight to be composed of the same pre¬ 
cious metal. 
The Sunflower has been made the emblem of 
