OCR Text |
Show PHYSIOGNOMY OF PLANTS. 243 of South America, it is frequently associated-that of the tropical twining rope-plants, or Lianes, (25) which display in those regions, in Paullinias, Banisterias, Bignonias, and Passifloras, the utmost vigor of vegetation. It is represented to us in the temperate latitudes by our twining hops, and by our grape vines. On the banks of the Orinoco the leafless branches of the Bauhinias are often between 40 and 50 feet long : sometimes they hang down perpendicularly from the high top of the Swietenia, and sometimes they are stretched obliquely like the cordage of a ship : the tiger-cats climb up and descend by them with wonderful agility. In strong contrast with the extreme flexibility and fresh lightcolored verdure of the climbing plants, of which we have just been speaking, are the rigid, self-supporting growth and bluish hue of the form of Aloes, (26) which, instead of pliant stems and branches of enormous length, are either without stems altogether, or have branchless stems. The leaves, which are succulent, thick, and fleshy, and terminate in long points, radiate from a centre and form a closely crowded tuft. The tall-stemmed aloes are not found in close clusters or thickets like other social or gregarious plants or trees; they stand singly in arid plains, and impart thereby to the tropical regions in which they are found a peculiar, melancholy, and I would almost venture to call it, African character. Taking for our guides resemblance in physiognomy, and influence on the impression produced by the landscape, we place together under the head of the Aloe form (from among the Bromeliacere), the Pitcairnias, which in the chain of the Andes grow out of clefts in the rocks; the great Pournetia pyramidata (the Atschupalla of the elevated plains- of New Granada); the American Aloe (Agave); Bromelia aranas and B. karatas; from among the Euphorbiacere the rare species which have thick short candelabra-like divided stems; from the family of Asphodelere the African Aloe and the Dragon tree (Dracrena draco) ; and lastly, from among the Liliacere, the tall flowering Yucca. If the Aloe form is characterized by an almost mournful repose and immobility, the form of Graminere, (~7) especially the physiognomy of arborescent grasses, is characterized, on the contrary, by an expression of cheerfulness and of airy grace and tremulous lightness, combined with lofty stature. Both in the East and West Indies |