GREAT BINDWEED. 161 



in pathless solitudes. An hospitable flower is 

 she. The Phalsena Elpenor and Sphinx Con- 

 volvuli, or Unicorn Moth, are her frequent 

 guests. The former is provided with a long 

 and pliant proboscis, rolled up in concentric 

 circles under the chin, and capable of being 

 extended above three inches in length. The 

 trunk consists of joints and muscles, divided 

 at the termination into two capillary tubes, 

 and by means of this the Unicorn Moth 

 readily obtains the sweet juice which exudes 

 from the nectar}' of the corolla. A matin- 

 flower, too, is she, unfolding when the sun 

 arises, and closing when the shadows of the 

 trees begin to lengthen on the grass ; hint- 

 ing it may be, in unison with other open- 

 ing and closing flpwers, with the matin and 

 even -songs of grateful birds, concerning du- 

 ties which few remember, or, perhaps, cai'e- 

 lessly fulfil. 



M 



