THE CENTAUKY. 291 



face of the rock far, far below us ; while on the 

 arid turf around the little centaury sleeps with 

 quietly -folded buds in the breeze, which blows 

 straight upon it. 



The centaury delights in the light of the sun ; 

 and it is, I believe, the first of all our native flowers 

 which folds together its petals when the sun begins 

 to wane, being rarely, if ever, seen unfolded after he 

 has passed the meridian. 



o '2 



