DIAL OF FLOWERS. 225 



blue tips of its clusters of blossom. March boasts a 

 richer Flora ; then the Violet dehghts us with its- 

 fragrance; the Mezereon offers its peach-coloured 

 flowers, and the Primrose leads on a long train of the 

 charming children of Spring. These now continue 

 to advance in increasing numbers, displaying, espe- 

 cially in May and June, their highest splendour ; 

 till at length the Meadow Saffron takes leave of 

 inclement Autumn, and, saturated with rain, the 

 Mosses acquire fresh vigour, and open to the botan- 

 ist a new field for investigation. 



IS ot less different than the period of flowering is 

 the time of the opening and shutting of flowers. 

 Some plants habitually open and close their flowers 

 by turns ; others are governed in these respects by 

 the weather ; others again, by the length or short- 

 ness of the day : while some open and shut at certain 

 hours, and thus furnish materials for composing the 

 Dial of Flowers. 



According to the observations of later botanists, 

 the flowery crown of plants serves, among other 

 things, to envelop the tender organs of fructification, 

 and to protect them from the pernicious influence of 

 external agents. Those organs of fructification are 

 the chief objects of the maternal care of Nature ; 

 while shut up in the flower-bud, they acquire that 

 strength and perfection of parts, which enable them 

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