CROWN ANEMONE. 103 



by changes of weather : the greater number, 

 under their continual summer, are hardly suscep- 

 tible of a change of temperature. But the plants 

 of the temperate and frigid zones feel summer and 

 winter, in which they are alternately in motion 

 and at rest. Each plant presents its flowers 

 in that part of the year for which the consti- 

 tution and texture of their blossoms are best 

 adapted. Many icosandrious and polyandrious 

 plants, from the attenuated structure of their sta- 

 mens and pistils, are unsuited to bear the direct 

 and parching rays of the sun, and, therefore, 

 are expanded early in the spring or summer. 

 This, it appears, is necessary for the safety of the 

 flowers from heat; and such plants from warmer 

 latitudes, having this natural impulse, come forth 

 with us so early, as to jeopardize their existence, 

 and be wholly cut off by frost. To mention a 

 few instances, by way of proof: — botanists have 

 long ago noticed the peculiar precaution, if I may 

 so call it, of the cactus grandiflora blowing only 

 in the night. The fruit-grower laments this 

 tendency or habit in his most delicate wall-fruit 



