JULY 12$ 



clumps failed suddenly in one night, it 

 seemed the doomed plant withering down 

 to the very bulb. This was an unusual 

 disaster, and I blamed * the invisible worm 

 that flies in the dark and howling storm.' 

 In the same border we have several great 

 plants of Lilium auratum without a speck 

 upon their leaves. 



The Evening primrose (QEnothera) came 

 into bloom before its appointed time, and 

 her fair flowers are even larger than usual. 

 Downy-winged moths hover round them 

 in the dark warm evenings. It is said that 

 those who watch may see the buds open. 

 I have watched, but had never patience to 

 wait long enough. Most flowers are best 

 in the morning, when they are refreshed 

 with dews and darkness ; but to see (Eno- 

 thera aright she * must be visited by the 

 pale moonlight/ when the air is still and 

 heavy with the odours of night-scented 

 flowers under the full golden moon of July. 

 On such a dewless night, (Enothera ex- 

 pands her broad primrose flowers, and 

 seems to throb through all her being with 

 a strange moon-life. Once sown, the 



