17* 



OM THE COROLLAS OF FLOWERS. 



■^dtbuble purpose: and it is curious, that in some petals (the 

 thick for example) where the thickness supplies the place 

 of support, the spiral wires are often found without a case. 

 It is in watching these little minute circumstances we come 

 at the secrets of nature; for when we place her in unnatural 

 situations, to understand her intentions, we only draw con- 

 clusions to deceive ourselves. No one would for a moment 

 i doubt, that these spiral wires governed the petals, who 



would watch them for hours as I have done for days toge- 

 ther. I have seen a flower suddenly contract its muscles, 

 even before the rest of- the corolla could obey the motion; 

 seen a sudden cold air draw them to breaking; or seen them, 

 expand with a hot sun, or on being breathed upon, till they 

 Muscles of could no longer obey any impulse. I know not any better 

 lowers, means to show their muscles, than exposing flowers either to 



a very hot fire or an icehouse ; both extremes act equally. The 

 moment they contract with violence, so that each muscle is 

 seen through its cover; then relaxing at once, they hang like 

 mere wet rag, having neither form nor strength, and decay 

 directly. On examining a dying flower, it will be found, 

 that it is the muscles which draw the petal together, and 

 not the skin. I know no better flowers for showing the 

 power of the spiral wire, than the deadelphian tribe. The 

 art with whirh the banner of all peaflowers is contrived has 

 always excited my admiration. How admirable the manage- 

 ment! and when, as in the visia faba, the case would not 

 be strong enough to distend it, there is formed a double 

 and treble layer of vessels, which form a strengthening piece 

 for the whole, and which the case surrounds. Observe the 

 strength of the keel, when the finger is passed over it; how 

 admirably it is contrived to withstand both wind and rain, 

 and to form a hollow in which the stamens and pistil are 

 sheltered from every danger. Who can examine the wing;* 

 of the lathyrus, and not be struck with astonishment at the 

 art it betrays ? how much thinking would it cost a mechaiiic, 

 to invent such a contrivance ! and how poor, how coarse, 

 would his execution have been 1 Can any person see wit!^^^ 

 out admiration the petals of the iris susiana, and the ele- 

 gance of tho^e folds ? But I should never have done if I 

 ♦expatiated on all the forms and shapes I have so often con- 

 • l«iinplated with delight, and dissected for the sake of ad- 



toirinff 



