194 :fi3otan^ 



bling those of the morning-glory, but larger, more 

 glossy, and finer in texture. These clothe with a 

 wall of verdure any trellis which may be set for the 

 accommodation of the plant. All the summer day 

 this deep rich green lies under the sun, as if rejoicing 

 in its ra3^s, and parting the leaves gently we may find 

 great numbers of buds, each one a calyx holding a 

 long tube, which expands or inflates at the top, with 

 the fullness of the infolded salver-form margin 

 white, a white tinged as if the shadow of a green 

 leaf transfused Avith light had fallen upon it. At 

 five o'clock, visit the moon-vine ; the buds are not 

 now hidden ; they extend beyond the leaf shelter ; 

 the tube has elongated ; the puff of dazzling white 

 silk at the top is larger and clearer. Now watch 

 them well. This is as if one stood by a cradle and 

 watched the waking of a babe. The breast heaves 

 with deep breaths ; the muscles quiver ; there is a 

 slow rhythmic palpitation through all the resting 

 form. So it is with the moon-flower. The bud 

 trembles; it seems now no mere plant, but waking 

 animal life. There is a quiver through all the folded 

 involucre ; the long tube breathes, we see it expand- 

 ing as in a sigh. Now that folded fullness at the 

 top of the tube suddenly inflates ; in a flash a broad 

 segment of snowy margin has expanded, like. the 

 opening of a hand ; one more deep sigh, again that 



