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Gleadall, Eliza Eve / The beauties of flora : with botanic and poetic illustrations, being a selection of flowers drawn from nature arranged emblematically : with directions for colouring them
(1834)

The Mexican Tiger-flower, Change; The blue major Convolvulus, Night,   pp. Plate 17-34 ff.


Page 33

 
33 
                                                  17. 
                                              CHANGE. 
          Tigridia Pavonia.                                       The Mexican
Tiger-flower. 
                Natural Order.                                          
  Class and Order. 
                IRIDEX.                                          MONADELPHIA
TRIANDRIA. 
LINNEUS named this plant Ferraria Pavonia in compliment to Jean Baptiste
Ferrari, an Italian botanist, 
who first figured and described the Ferraria undulata. The specific name
Pavonia was in consequence. 
of Mutis having sent him a drawing of the flower under this appellation,
which he had designated 
from Pavon, the name of a favourite pupil, and not, as is generally understood,
from pavo, ' a peacock,' 
on account of the beauty of its colours. This species is a native of Mexico,
and is now separated 
from the genus Ferraria; its present name Tigridia comes from tigris, ' a
tiger,' in reference to its 
spots.   The blossoms of the Tigridia Pavonia are of short duration.    
  Sturm justly observes, " If 
flowers retained their beauty throughout the year, they would not impart
to us the delight they do. 
The constant variation and succession of all terrestrial objects constitutes
one of the chief sources 
of our happiness." 
                                Sweet Julia, whilst thy raptured eye 
                                  Exults in pleasure's lightness, 
                                Viewing yon meteor gild the sky, 
                                  Enrob'd in glory's brightness; 
                                'Tis fled.- So fades the beauteous dye 
                                  That stains my glowing flow'r: 
                                So wanes the flame that lights thine eye;
                                  The meteor of an hour." 
                                               NIGHT. 
       Convolvulus major caerulea.                                 The bbi
                  Natural Order. 
             CONVOLVULACER.                                         PENTA
THIS extensive and beautiful genus is designated Convolvulus, from 
peculiar property, whence the common name bind-weed:- 
                                Convolvulus, expand thy cup-like flower,
                                Graceful in form, and beautiful in hue."
K 


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