THE WILD ROSE l6l 



It presents no loud color, but passes from pure 

 white, which is somewhat rare, to intense pink, 

 through all the intermediate tints. Not unfrequently 

 we find in a single flower exquisite markings and 

 shadings. Its fragrance, too, is as delightful as its 

 coloring. 



When the sun is shining the mature rose spreads 

 wide its petals, catching every ray which comes its 

 way, but when darkness reigns it closes, and says to 

 the world, "Good night." Does it close, also, before 

 and during a storm? Watch and see. The closed 

 flower is as beautiful as the open one. When you 

 have seen one you have not seen all, for there are 

 many different arrangements of the petals in closing, 

 but in each the adaptation is so perfect that one 

 wonders that any other plan could have answered so 

 well. Why should the rose close at night ? If we 

 notice the texture of one of the petals we find its 

 two sides quite unlike. The soft, velvety upper side 

 might easily be marred by the dew, while the coarser 

 under side seems better fitted to cope with it. This 

 suggests what may be one reason for closing. Later 

 we may find a better one. 



Any child can find out how long the petals remain 

 after the flower opens by watching carefully the 



