424 FLOWEES OF 



ancient sunflower, Laving been confounded with the 

 American Helianthus, or modern Sunflower. As the 

 latter was only introduced from the New World, it is 

 clear that OVID and other ancient writers could not 

 have had the Helianthus in view. Now the Mary gold 

 (named catholically as Aurwm S. Mar ice Vlrglnls)* 

 was of old noted as a flower of the sun, that accord- 

 ing to SHAKSPEAKE 



" goes to bed with the sun, 



And with him rises weeping." 



Hence the Marygold was called by herbalists soils 

 sequa, or sun-follower, and soils sponsa, spouse of the 

 sun ; and so far correctly, as LINNJETTS observed that 

 the Marygold was usually expanded from nine in the 

 morning to three in the afternoon. So HEKRICE:, as 

 keen a poetical observer as the learned Swede was a 

 botanical one, denies that it could be evening, as 



" No Marygolds yet closed are, 

 No shadows yet appear." 



* The common officinal Marygold which grows naturally in the corn- 

 fields of Italy and in many other parts of Europe, is said to have derived 

 its name from its being more or less in blow at the times of all the festi- 

 vals of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the word gold having reference to its 

 golden rays, likened to the rays of light placed around the head of the 

 Virgin by painters. Thus it is observed in the Circle of the Seasons " at 

 Candlemas or the Purification of our Lady, (Feb. 2nd,) in warm climates 

 the old last year's plants will show a few flowers. Even in our climate a 

 few flowers appear about Lady-tide. The full flowering takes place about 

 the Visitation, July 2nd. The young Plants flower about the Assumption, 

 Aug. 15th. Seedlings of the same year will flower about the Nativity of 

 our Lady, Sept. 8th, and they continue to flower through the whole period, 

 including Nov. 21st and December 8th, thus blowing on all the Virgin's 

 Feasts. Thus say the old writers, and the fact is true." So it is reported 

 the latin name Calendula was given to the plant because it was in flower 

 on the Calends of every Month, which perhaps may be correct in the 

 sunny clime of Italy. Indeed the Italians have given it the name of 

 Fiorrancio, or Flower of every Month. Marygold flowers often continue 

 open to near sunset. 



