138 FLORA'S LEXICON. 



ARVEL OF PERU. Mirabilis. Class 5, 

 Pentandria. Order: Monogynia. This 

 plant is called mirabilis, and with some de- 

 gree of reason, for it is a most admirable 

 flower ; it expands its richly dyed corollas 

 at night, whence it has been named by the 

 French, belle-de-nuit. 

 It is universally considered to be the emblem of timidity from 

 its shunning the brilliant light of day, and only venturing to 

 display its charms in the cool of the evening. 



The mimosa, or sensitive plant, has been assigned as the sym- 

 bol of chastity and prudery, but we think it may be more pro- 

 perly used as the sign of timidity ; as it seems to fly from the 

 hand that would touch it. At the least approach, the leaves 

 shrink within themselves. The petiole then droops, and if the 

 plant be low, it touches the earth. Even a cloud passing between 

 it and the rays of the sun, is sufficient to change the situation 

 of its leaves and the general aspect of the plant. 

 Timidity, of all afraid, 

 Her wreath of the mimosa braid. 



TIMIDITY. 



Think on th' insulting scorn, the conscious pangs, 

 The future miseries that await th' apostate ; 

 So shall timidity assist thy reason, 

 And wisdom into virtue turn thy frailty. 



Johnson. 



' Solitaire amante des nuits, 

 Pourquoi ces timides alarmes, 

 Quand ma muse au jour que tu fuis 

 S'apprete a reveler les charmes? 



Si, par pudeur, aux indiscrets 

 Tu caches ta fleur purpurine, 

 En nous derobant tes attraits, 

 Permets du moins qu'on les devine." 



