FLORA'S LEXICON. 159 



IMPERNEL. Anagallis Arvensis. Class 

 5, PENTANDRIA. Order: MONOGYNIA. The 

 common pimpernel is a beautiful trailing 

 weed, and one of the Florce Horologies, 

 opening its flowers regularly about eight 

 minutes past seven o'clock, and closing them 

 about three minutes past two o'clock. It 

 serves, also, as an hygrometer ; for, if rain fall, or there be much 

 moisture in the atmosphere, the flowers either do not open, or 

 close up again. It is frequently called the shepherd's weather- 

 glass. 



ASSIGNATION. 

 Closed is the pink-eyed pimperne., 



'Twill surely rain, I see, with sorrow, 



Our jaunt must be put off to-morrow. 



JENNER. 



"I'll go and peep at the Pimpernel, 

 And see if she think the clouds look well ; 



For if the sun shine, 



And 'tis like to be fine, 



I shall go to the fair, 



For my sweetheart is there: 



So, Pimpernel, what bode the clouds and the sky 1 

 If fair weather, no maiden so merry as I." 



Now the Pimpernel-flower had folded up 

 Her little gold star in her coral cup, 



And unto the maid 



Thus her warning said: 



" Though the sun smile down, 



There's a gathering frown 

 O'er the chequer'd blue of the clouded shy ; 

 So tarry at home, for a storm is nigh." 



TwAMLEY. 



:=e- 



