Obfervations on ae narrns of certain Plants. 159. 
lodE oe three plants. ( Anagallis arvenfis, Oenothera bicanis, Hibifcus 
trionum) which were fele&ted for thefe obfervations, were taken 
rather for the convenience of their fituation, from their vicinity to - 
the houfe, than for any other reafon.  Anagallis arvenfis, however, 
is ‘@ delicate wild plant, thas has long fince attracted notice, as indi- 
cating rainy weather or a ‘moift atmofphere by the’ clofing of its 
‘flowers, and the contrary by their opening. Hence its name among 
the country people, of Shephera’s or Poor man’s weather-glafs. And 
Oénothera biennis has been generally regarded, from an early: period, 
for the regular opening of its flowers in the evening, and has 
- thenceiobtained the namé of Evening or Nightly Primrofe 
. The flowers’ of the: Oenothera are collected in a very clofe corym- 
bus at the top of the ftalk till the time of. flowering. The upper 
flowers expand firft; and as they expand fucceffively, the ftalk is ad- 
vanicing in height, andfeparating the flowers; infomuch that when 
the flowering time is‘ paft, there is ‘the {pace of a ‘foot or eighteen - 
- inches’ interpofed between thofe flowers, which were originally 
contiguous. Whilft each flower is preparing for expanfion, the: 
peduncle gradually diverges from: the ftem, and, before the flower 
opens, atches downwards like a {wan’s neck’: the corolla fivells 
out at bottom, and is very apparent there between ‘the leaflets of 
the calyx, which keep it clofe together for a confiderable time at 
top, by means of the hooks at the extremity of the calycine leaflets, 
till at, dength the corolla burifts its bonds inftantaneoufly, opens toa 
certain point, and then having made a ftand for a few feconds, ex- 
ands very flowly to its full extent. This critical moment is very 
feet to the botanical obferver, and may be feen with eafe and 
pleafure between fix and feven within the houfe, by gathering the 
flowers and wie them in water. In hot weather the flowers 
ou HH | ATS 4 BROW 
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