SUNFLOWER. 
195 
SUNFLOWER. 
FALSE niCHES. 
The Sunflower has been thus named from the re¬ 
semblance which its broad golden disk and surround¬ 
ing rays bear to the sun. On this account it was 
used in its native country by the Peruvians, who wor¬ 
shipped that luminary — the virgins who officiated in 
the Temple of the Sun, being crowned with Sun¬ 
flowers 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. 1 he first 
Spaniards who arrived in Peru were amazed at this 
profuse display of gold, but they were still more 
astonished when in May they beheld whole fields 
covered with these flowers, which they concluded at 
first sight to be composed of the same precious metal. 
The Sunflower has been made the emblem of false 
