CHICKWEED. 105 



shake it in passing by, and heavy storms 

 may beat upon it, but there it grows, re- 

 newed from year to year, and covering the 

 herbless stones with a pleasant verdure. 

 Yet not as a single plant, opening at one 

 season or period of the day, and failing at 

 another ; each of its polished stems upholds 

 a bud, in different stages of verdure or of 

 decay. In some, the starry white corollas 

 are fully exposed to the sun ; in others, 

 which also stand upright, the white petals 

 have fallen off, and the four-sided and light 

 green capsules appear conspicuous ; in others, 

 again, the stalk assumes a curved form, and 

 the capsule bends towards the earth. Look 

 at it when thus reversed, what a curious 

 shape ! what a wonderful arrangement ! 

 Growing frequently on the summit of high 

 walls, or in places exposed to fierce winds 

 and heavy showers, a peculiar provision is 

 required for the protection of the seed. 



