OF SELBORNE. 219 



Daphne mezereum, the mezereon, in Selborne-Hanger 

 among the shrubs at the south-east end above the cottages. 



Lycoperdon tuber, truffles, in the Hanger and High-wood. 



Sambucus ebulus, dwarf elder, wallwort, or danewort, 

 among the rubbish and ruined foundations of the Priory.* 



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 foeti- 

 dus and helleborus niger blowing at Christmas, the helleborus 

 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 congenerous 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 structure. Yet the 

 vernal crocus expands it's 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 autumnal 

 (the Sa/ron^ 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 it's being familiar, since it would be 

 as difficult to be explained as the most stupendous phaenome- 

 non in nature. 



Say, what impels, amidst surrounding snow, 

 Congeal' d, the crocus 1 flamy bud to grow ? 

 Say, what retards, amidst the summer's blaze, 

 Th' autumnal bulb till pale, declining days ? 



* [The remainder of this letter does not appear in the first edition, but 

 was added by his brother from the MS. of Gilbert on the publication of 

 the 2nd edition in 2 vols. 8vo in 1802. T. B.] 



