MYSTICISM IN THE PLANT WORLD 
are all accurate time-pieces. Long before the 
rising of the sun their activity begins; in fact 
even the night hours are all noticed by certain 
more obscure plants. Along about three in the 
morning, the dainty Goat’s-Beard wakes from 
sleep and spreads its petals. Promptly at four 
o’clock the Dandelion begins its day’s work. 
The Naked Stalked Poppy, the copper-col- 
oured Day-Lily and the smooth Sow-Thistle are 
five o’clock risers. ‘The Field Marigold is a 
slug-a-bed, and does not blink its sleepy eyes at 
the sun until ten o’clock. The Ice-Plant throws 
back its downy coverlets exactly at noon. 
Shortly after mid-day, the early risers begin 
to get tired, and prepare to sleep through the 
heat of the afternoon. Beginning with the 
Hawkweed Picris shortly after noon, and ex- 
tending to the bed-time of the Chickweed at 
ten at night, every quarter hour sees the retire- 
ment of some particular flower. After sundown, 
the night owls make their appearance, and such 
plants as the Night-Blooming Cereus, the 
Moonflower, and the Datura check off the fleet- 
ing minutes. How can this marvelous aquain- 
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