OF SELBORNE 201 



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 foetidus 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 

 its 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 

 Saffron) 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 its being 

 familiar, since it would be as difficult to be explained as 

 the most stupendous phaenomenon in nature. 



Say, what impels, amidst surrounding snow, 

 Congealed, the crocus' flamy bud to grow ? 

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

 Th' autumnal bulb till pale, declining days? 

 The GOD of SEASONS whose pervading power 

 Controls the sun, or sheds the fleecy shower : 

 He bids each flower his quick'ning word obey ; 

 Or to each lingering bloom enjoins delay. 



