PLANTS THAT TELL TIME 107 



sow-thistle, and the creeping mallow, close between 

 twelve and one; between one and two, the prolifer- 

 ous pink; promptly at two, the mouse-ear hawk- 

 weed ; and between two and three, the purple sand- 

 wort ends its day. 



At three the field marigold closes ; between three 

 and four the African marigold; from four to five, 

 the common morning-glory and the spotted cat's- 

 ear; and at five o'clock the Victoria Regia leaves 

 her imperial white and golden throne and retires 

 to the dainty, silken-walled, royal bedchamber. 



At about six the common nasturtium, the field 

 clover, and the garden acacia, fold up their tents. 

 Promptly at seven the naked-stalked poppy ends its 

 day; between seven and eight, the copper-coloured 

 day-lily; from eight to nine, the wild succory; and 

 the chickweed, from nine to ten. 



From ten until five in the morning there are 

 many night flowers, such as the fragrant night- 

 blooming cereus, the ghostly moonflower, and the 

 datura, to check off the hours and the minutes. 



Was there ever a human being who at some time 

 in his life did not try to keep a diary? There 

 seems to be some divine instinct inborn in the 

 nature of all living things which prompts the rec- 

 ord of their actions. Were it not for this instinct 



