86 



have been preserved through the winter, in a 

 very vigorous state. Its sensitive quality will be 

 found in proportion to the heat of the weather, 

 as well as the vigour of the plant. Our sum- 

 mers are not warm enough to ripen the seed, or 

 possibly we are not sufficiently acquainted with 

 the culture of it. 



THE HIBISCUS, OR MUTABLE ROSE. 



The Hibiscus mutdbilis, or changeable Rose, 

 has a soft spongy stem, which by age be- 

 comes ligneous and pithy. It rises to the 

 height of twelve or fourteen feet, with heart- 

 shaped leaves. The flowers are produced from 

 the wings of the leaves : the single are com- 

 posed of five petals, which spread open, and 

 are at first white, but afterwards change to a 

 blush rose-colour, and as they decay, turn 

 purple. In the West Indies, all these alterations 

 happen on the same day, and the flowers them- 

 selves are of no longer duration ; but in Britain 

 the changes are not so sudden. Dr. Gregory. 



Child of Summer, lovely rose, 



In thee what blushing beauty glows \ 



