142 OP PROGNOSTICKS. CHAP. 4. 2. 



If the flowers of the Siberian Sowthistle 

 remain open all night, we may expect Rain 

 next day. 



Before showers the Trefoil contracts its 

 leaves,* as does the Convolvulus and many 

 other plants. 



Lord Bacon observes that the Trefoil has its 

 stalk more erect against Rain. 



There are, however, many plants whose 

 flowers are opened at particular periods of the 

 day, as the Tragopogon porrifolins and T. pra- 

 tensis ; which 4o not open their flowers much 

 earlier or later, according to the state of the 

 weather. 



Lord Bacon mentions a small red flower, 

 growing in stubble fields, called by the country 

 people Wincopipe, probably the AnagaUis 

 arvensis, which if it opens in the morning 

 ensures us a fine day. 



To these, the closing of the flowers of the 

 Pimpernel, and numerous other prognosticks 

 might be added, but it would swell this section 

 beyond its limits.f 



* Plin. Hist Nat. xviii. 35. 



t The reader may consult Lord Bacon's Sylva Sylvarum, 

 tent. ix. cap. 823 830. Numerous other omens of the 

 weather will be found in the Poems of Aratus, of which the 

 author is preparing for the press an enlarged edition. 



