SIGNS OF PLANTS. 35 



not found. Foot -stalks are often changed also to leaves and petioles ; 

 and peduncles sometimes change to tendrils, as with the vine. Buds 

 are often transformed into thorns, caused by a superabundance of buds, 

 in which the sap becomes hardened, exhibiting short protuberances. 

 Many changes are affected by cultivation, when natural deformities 

 disappear. Changes produced by geographical situations and the in- 

 fluence of external agents on the growth and position of plants are 

 considered in another place. 



Signs of plants, produced by the atmosphere, are often observed, 

 and are by some considered signs by which to judge of the weather. 



It is said that not only the coming weather may be foretold by an 

 acquaintance with flowers, but also the time of the day and the time 

 of the year. Linnaeus is said to have possessed such a knowledge of 

 them as to need no watch, calender nor weather glass. Lord Bacon 

 observed that when the flower of the chickweed expanded fully and 

 boldly no rain will succeed for some hours or days. It partially con- 

 ceals its small flower in a rainy day, and entirely shuts it up with its 

 green folds when there is a prospect of a long storm. If the flowers 

 of the Siberian sow-thistle keep open during the night, rain, it is 

 said, is certain to fall the next day. The leaves of the trefoil are al- 

 ways contracted at the approach of a storm, and hence called the 

 husbandman's chronometer." If the African marygold does not open 

 its flowers by 7 o'clock, A. M. rain may be expected with certainty 

 on that day. An uncommon quantity of seeds is produced by white 

 thorns and dog-rose bushes in wet summers, and this is considered a 

 sign of a severe winter. Many plants with compound flowers direct 

 them towards the east in the morning, carefully following the direction 

 of the sun, and appearing towards the west in the evening ; but, be- 

 fore rain, they are as carefully closed, as with the tulip. A species 

 of the wood-sorrel doubles its leaves before storms, but unfolds them 

 under a serene sky. Cassia and the sensitive plant do the same. 

 The flowers of the pimpernel appearing widely open in the morning 

 indicate a fine day, and if the petals are closed, rain may soon be ex- 

 pected ; it is found in stubble fields. Nettles appearing abundantly 

 in winter indicate a mild season. Most plants, indeed, expand their 

 flowers fully on fine days, but all do not close their petals on the ap- 

 proach of a storm. 



Periodical Opening of Flowers. 



The yellow and purple Star of Jerusalem, or the goats beard of 

 both species, open their flowers in the morning and close them at 

 noon, without regard to the weather. The evening primrose opens 

 with a snapping noise at sunset and closes at day break. The flow- 

 er of the garden lettuce opens at 7 and shuts at 10 o'clock, A. M. 



