MOUSE-EAR HAWKWEED. 117 



forth its joy, as Pliny elegantly observed 

 with regard to the blossoms of large trees, 

 in producing which, they seem to vie with 

 one another, seeking apparently to attract 

 the admiration of all who look upon them. 

 In this simple plant the corolla has its own 

 specific use, and is not less distinguished for 

 the delicacy and the brilliancy of its tints, 

 than for the functions which it is designed to 

 fulfil with regard to air and light. Its office 

 is likewise in a great degree analogous to 

 wings, being composed of a variety of small 

 yellow florial leaves, that waft the flower up 

 and down in the air ; it serves also to protect, 

 occasionally, the interior from rain, or ex- 

 cessive heat, to indicate the vicinity of that 

 sweet nectareous juice, from which honey 

 is produced, and to accommodate the ga- 

 therers with a resting-place or shelter, while 

 employed in their grateful labours. Ob- 

 serve, also, the admirable construction of 



