Catesby, Mark. Appendix Pl. 7, The Vanelloe

Mark Catesby (1638 - 1749)Etching with hand color, paper dimensions: approximately 19 x 14 inchesFrom the Appendix (Part 11) to Catesby's Natural History of Carolina, Florida & the Bahama IslandsLondon: 1747 - 1771 Currently known as the Mexican vanilla, Vanilla mexicana*, Catesby described this subjects as follows:   VOLUBILIS SILIQUOSA MEXICANA PLANTAGINI FOLIO. Hist. Jam. 18o. Vol. I.  The VANELLOE. This Plant climbeth up the adjacent trees and shrubs by the help of clasping tendrels. The leaves are about eight inches in length, broadest near the foot-stalks, and tapering gradually to a point; and are deeply furrowed longitudinally with seven ribs, the middle rib being most prominent. The flower is composed of five petals, with a cup in the center formed not unlike that of a Foxglove. The backside of the flower is white, the backfide yellow, the middle of the cup has also a dash of brighter yellow. Its feeds are very small, and black, and are contained in a long pod, which when