1 1 8 STUDIES OF NATURE. 



crown. Some, in truth, have acknowledged it to 

 be properly adapted for covering the parts of fe- 

 cundation before the expanfion of the flower; but 

 it's calix is much better adapted to this purpofe, 

 from it's thieknefs, from it's beards, and fome- 

 times from the prickles with which it is inverted. 

 Befides, when the corolla leaves the ftamina ex- 

 pofed, and when it continues fully blown for 

 whole weeks, it muft of neceflity be anfwering 

 fome other purpofe ; for Nature does nothing in 

 vain. 



The corolla feems intended to reverberate the 

 rays of the Sun on the parts of fecundation ; and 

 we fhall be put beyond the reach of doubt as to 

 this, if we conlider the colour and the form of it 

 in moft flowers. It has been remarked in the pre- 

 ceding Study, that of all colours, white is the mod 

 proper for reflecting the heat : now, it is, in gene- 

 ral, that which Nature beftows on the flowers 

 that blow at cold feafons and in cold places, as 

 we fee is the cafe in the fnow-drop, the lily of the 

 valley, the hyacinths, the narciflus, and the ane- 

 mone- nemerofa, which come into flower early in 

 the Spring. We muft likewife aflign to this co- 

 lour fucli as have flight fhades of the rofe and of 

 the azure, as many hyacinths; as well as thofe 

 which have yellow and fhining tints, as the flowers 

 of the dandelion, the butter-flower of the meadow, 



and 



