NATURAL HISTORY OF SELBORNE. 227 
Of all the propensities of plants, none seem more strange than 
their different periods of blossoming. Some produce their flowers 
in the winter, or very first dawnings of spring ; many when the 
spring is established; some at midsummer, and some not till 
autumn. When we see the helleborus fetidus and helleborus niger 
blowing at Christmas, the el/eborus hyemalis in January, and the 
helleborus viridis as soon as ever it emerges out of the ground, 
we do not wonder, because they are kindred plants that we 
expect should keep pace the one with the other; but other conge- 
nerous vegetables differ so widely in their time of flowering, that 
we cannot but admire. I shall only instance at present in the 
crocus sativus, the vernal and the autumnal crocus, which have 
such an affinity, that the best botanists only make them varieties 
of the same genus, of which there is only one species, not being 
able to discern any difference in the corolla, or in the internal struc- 
ture. Yet the vernal crocus expands its flowers by the beginning 
of March at farthest, and often in very rigorous weather ; and 
cannot be retarded but by some violence offered ; while the autum- 
nal (the saffron) defies the influence of the spring and summer, and 
will not blow till most plants begin to fade and run to seed. This 
circumstance is one of the wonders of the creation, little noticed 
‘because a common occurrence ; yet ought not to be overlooked on 
account of its being familiar, since it would be as difficult to be ex- 
plained as the most stupendous phenomenon in nature. 
** Say, what impels, amidst surrounding snow 
Congeal’d; the crocus’ flamy bud to glow? 
Say, what retards, amidst the summer’s blaze, 
Th’ autumnal bulb, till pale, declining days ? 
The Gop of SEASONS ; whose pervading power 
Controls the sun, or sheds the fleecy shower: 
He bids each flower his quickening word obey, 
Or to each lingering bloom enjoins delay.” 
