PLANTS THAT GO TO SLEEP 163 



trees are not yet sufficiently rested to arouse them- 

 selves to a new season of work; or waking, they 

 realise that it is but an imitation of spring. Can 

 they then tell the difference between time and time? 



Warmer temperature alone does not make plants 

 awake. Take the instance of the snowdrop: In 

 the bulb of the snowdrop are the rudiments of its 

 flowers and leaves ; force the bloom of the plant, by 

 means of artificial heat, in December, and the re- 

 sult is a weak, sickly flower: the plant has not had 

 sufficient sleep to regain the strength spent during 

 the preceding season. But leave the snowdrop to 

 slumber on, as is its habit ; in January or February, 

 whether the temperature be mild or just above the 

 freezing-point, the plant is rested, and the fresh 

 flowers appear! 



Plants seem to understand just when it is neces- 

 sary for them to close up and take a vacation. 

 Those which live in ponds dry up and sink to the 

 bottom of the water for rest ; those on the hot, dry 

 deserts fold their arms and go to sleep, like the 

 Rose of Jericho; but all of these, with a seeming 

 appreciation of periods of time, are ready to come 

 forth when the season is ready for them and when 

 their plant-instinct tells them that outside condi- 

 tions will permit them to bloom with safety. 



All seeds, bulbs, and tubers, as well as growing 



