FLORA'S LEXICON. 1:,: ' 



IMPERNEL. AnagaUia Arvensis. Class 

 5, Pentandria. Order: Monogynia. The 

 common pimpernel is a beautiful trailing 

 weed, and one of the Flora; Horologicoc, 

 opening its flowers regularly about eight 

 minutes past seven o'clock, and closing them 

 about three minutes past two o'clock. It 

 serves, also, as an hygrometer ; for, if rain fall, or there be much 

 moisture in the atmosphere, the flowers either do not open, or 

 close up again. It is frequently called the shepherd's weather- 

 glass. 



ASSIGNATION. 



Closed is the pink-eyed pimpernel, 



'Twill surely rain, I see, with sorrow, 

 Our jaunt must be put off to-morrow. 



Jenner. 



"I'll go and peep at the Pimpernel, 

 And see if she think the clouds look well ; 



For if the sun shine, 



And 'tis like to be fine, 



I shall go to the fair, 



For my sweetheart is there : 

 So, Pimpernel, what bode the clouds and the sky*! 

 If fair weather, no maiden so merry as I." 



Now the Pimpernel-flower had folded up 

 Her little gold star in her coral cup, 



And unto the maid 



Thus her warning said : 



" Though the sun smile down, 



There's a gathering frown 

 O'er the chequer'd blue of the clouded sky ; 

 So tarry at home, for a storm is nigh." 



Twamley. 



