368 WILD FLOWERS. 



PIMPERNEL. 



Anagallis. 



Welsh, Gwrryw, Gwlydd Mair. Irish, Euinn ruish. French, 

 Pimprenelle. German, Pimpernelle. Italian, Pimpinella. 

 Spanish, Pimpiuela. lllyric, Krivigiza, Krikka, Zele- 

 nikka, Krupnik, &c. 



LINN^EAN. NATURAL. 



Pentandria. Primulacece. 



Monogynia. Anagallis. 



"PRITHEE, bring that tiny scarlet flower, 

 With eye of lustrous amethyst adorned, 

 Endued with prescience of the stormy hour ; 



Meek pimpernel, 

 Whose closing lids wise shepherd never scorned, 



But heeds them well." 



And again, 



# * Pimpernel, whose brilliant flower, 



Closes against the approaching shower, 

 Warning the swain to sheltering bower, 



From humid air secure." 



Or, 



" Closed is the pink-eyed pimpernel : 

 'Twill surely rain ! I see with sorrow 

 Our jaunt must be put off to-morrow." 



All proclaim the familiar fact of the closing and 

 expanding of this little flower, caused by the dryness 

 or humidity of the air, from which it is called the 

 " poor man's weather-glass/' And an unfailing one 



