PHENOMENA OF PLANTS. 287 



and nuns, who were the authors of these conceits, and at that 

 time the most learned part of the community, been possessed 

 of as much knowledge as most children in our country, they 

 would have known that plants bloom earlier or later, accord- 

 ing to various circumstances of climate ; and that a flower 

 which in Italy blossoms as early as February might not ap- 

 pear in England before April ; while the day of the Saint 

 which the flower was supposed to commemorate, would occur 

 at the same time in both places. 



Phenomena of Plants, arising from changes in the atmosphere. 



Plants exhibit some phenomena which are supposed to 

 arise from the state of the atmosphere ; accurate observers of 

 nature have made remarks upon these changes in plants, as 

 preceding certain changes of weather. Lord Bacon, who 

 was remarkably attentive to all the appearances and changes 

 of natural objects, is the author of the following observations. 



" Chickweed (Anagallis). When the flower expands boldly 

 and fully, no rain will happen for four hours or upwards : if it 

 continues in that open state, no rain will disturb the summer's 

 day ; when it half conceals its miniature flower, the day is 

 generally showery ; but if it entirely shuts up or veils the 

 white flower with its green mantle, let the traveller put on his 

 great coat, and the ploughman, with his beasts of draught, 

 expect rest from their labour. 



" Siberian Sowthistle (Sonchus). If the flowers of this plant 

 keep open all night, rain will certainly fall the next day. 



" Trefoil (Hedysarum). The different species of trefoil 

 always contract their leaves at the approach of a storm : hence 

 these plants have been termed the Husbandman's Barometer. 



" African Mary-gold. If this plant opens not its flowers in 

 the morning about seven o'clock, you may be sure it will rain 

 that day unless it thunders. 



" White tliorns and dog-rose bushes. Wet summers are 

 generally attended with an uncommon quantity of seed on 

 these shrubs, whence their unusual fruitfulness is a sign of se- 

 vere winter." 



Beside the above, there are several plants, especially those 

 with compound, yellow flowers, which during the whole day, 

 turn their flowers Cowards the sun, viz. to the East in the morn- 

 ing, to the South at noon, and to the West towards evening. 

 This is very observable in the sowthistle, Sonchus arvensis ; 

 and it is a well known fact, that a great part of the plants in 



Various phenomena of plants Lord Bacon's observations Changes of 

 flowers indicating changes of weather Plants which turn towards the sun. 



