OF SELBORNE 187 



internal structure. 1 Yet the vernal crocus expands it's flowers by 

 the beginning of March at farthest, and often in very rigorous 

 weather ; and cannot be retarded but by some violence offered : 

 while the autumnal (the Saffron) defies the influence of the spring 

 and summer, and will not blow till most plants begin to fade 

 and run to seed. This circumstance is one of the wonders of 

 the creation, little noticed, because a common occurrence : yet 

 ought not to be overlooked on account of it's being familiar, 

 since it would be as difficult to be explained as the most stupen- 

 dous phenomenon in nature. 



"Say. what impels, amidst surrounding snow 

 Congeal'd, the crocus' flamy bud to glow ? 

 Say, what retards, amidst the summer's blaze, 

 Th' autumnal bulb, till pale, declining days? 

 The GOD of SEASONS ; whose pervading power 

 Controls the sun, or sheds the fleecy shower : 

 He bids each flower his quick'ning word obey ; 

 Or to each lingering bloom enjoins delay." 



LETTER XLII. 



TO THE SAME. 



"Omnibus animalibus reliquis certus et uniusmodi, et in suo cuique genere 

 " incessus est : aves solae vario meatu feruntur, et in terra, et in acre." 



PLIN., Hist. Nat., lib. x., cap. 38. 



Selborne, Aug. 7, 1778. 

 DEAR SIR, 



A GOOD ornithologist should be able to distinguish birds by their 

 air as well as by their colours and shape ; on the ground as well 

 as on the wing, and in the bush as well as in the hand. For, 

 though it must not be said that every species of birds has a 

 manner peculiar to itself, yet there is somewhat in most genera 

 at least, that at first sight discriminates them, and enables a 

 judicious observer to pronounce upon them with some certainty. 

 Put a bird in motion 



" Et vera incessu patuit ." 



1 [White's vernal crocus is probably C. vernus, and his autumnal crocus C. 

 sativus. The inner spathe consists of two leaves in sativus, while it is single and 

 tubular in vernus.] 



