266 
poor flowers, shut up 
ful nuns secluded for 
a Roman — aged, he 
little of his business, 
like a hermit, in the 
and amuses himself 
curiosity of the place^ 
MEXICO. 
in the dreary inclosure, seem like so many beauti- 
ever from the vulgar gaze. The chief gardener is 
alleges, more than a century — who either knows 
or has become useless by extreme age. He lives, 
shady nooks of his tangled and neglected garden, 
by pointing out to every visitor the greatest floral 
— the celebrated Arbol Manita. 
HAND FLOWER. 
The almost unpronounceable Indian name is Macpalxoch'quauhitI, the 
botanic, Chiranthodendron pentadactylon ; — but it is usually known as the 
" hand flower.'' Two trees only are said to exist in the Republic — one at 
Toluca and the other in the Capital ; — and it is chiefly remarkable for 
the brilliancy of its tints, and the claw that protrudes from its thorny cup 
— a singular mingling of bird and blossom. 
Behind the Palace are the Senate Chamber, and the Chamber of De- 
puties — both of them tasteful and comfortable apartments. The latter is 
of semicircular form, with a throne-like stage for the seat of the Presi- 
dent on public occasions ; — beneath its canopy are hung the Declara- 
tion of Independence, and the sword which Iturbide first drew in defence 
