AN EXCURSION. 



garden. Its original home was China, but now it is a 

 citizen of the world. 



A group of PORTULACA is a glorious object during 

 the middle of the day when the sun shines brilliantly 

 and there are no bees about. It is a coy nymph which 

 jealously guards the nectar stored within it. Its sensitive 

 stamens begin to quiver and the corollas close upon 

 them as soon as any bees appear on the scene. 



Our common Luniya* (Portulaca Meridiana: Willd) 

 belongs to the same family as the Portulaca of the flower 

 gardens. It is a small creeping annual with hairy joints, 

 small, oblong, and fleshy leaves. Common in gardens, 

 growing as weeds by the sides of metalled roads. The 

 flowers open at noon and shut by 3 p. m., hence the 

 specific name " Meridiana." 



There were numerous other interesting kinds of flowers, 

 all true emblems of purity, unsullied products of Na- 

 ture, and fit objects to offer to Nature's God. 



