44 



minute blue flowers. Different-colored Scorpion Grass, with flowers yellow 

 at first and blue afterwards. Tufted Water Scorpion Grass, and Upright 

 Wood Scorpion Grass, both of them blue and beautiful ; the former nut 

 uncommon in wet places, 



PIMPERNEL. ANAGALLIS. 

 SCARLET PIMPERNEL. Anayallis arvensis. 



Plate 2, fig. 16. 



A little straggling plant, with bright scarlet" flowers, of one 

 five-cleft petal, the edges of which are set with glands or hairs. 

 The yellow stamens are collected close round the style in the 

 middle. When the flowers have passed away, the stalks which 

 supported them twist round in a very remarkable manner, 

 until the capsule, (which is many-seeded,) bends downwards, 

 and its top falling off, it is thus curiously made to sow its own 

 seed. But this is not the only thing worthy of admiration in 

 our present little favorite ; its delicate flowers go to sleep or 

 close up soon after two o'clock in the afternoon, and open again 

 at seven in the morning. They close up also some hours before 

 rain, and so true and exact is the plant in this respect, that it is 

 commonly called the Poor Man's Weather Glass. Thus by 

 a simple weed we may note the hour and foretel the weather, 

 and many a time have I feared the coming storm, until seeing 

 the gay flowers of the Pimpernel expanded I have been sure of 

 warmth and sunshine. 



" Closed is the pink-ey'd Pimpernel, 

 'Twill surely rain, I see, with sorrow, 

 Our jaunt must be put off to-morrow." Dr. Jenner. 



" Of humble growth, though brighter dyes 

 But not by rural swains less prized, 



The trailing stems allure 

 Of Pimpernel, whose brilliant flower 

 Closes against th' approaching shower, 

 Warning the swain to sheltering bower, 



From humid air secure." Moral of Flowers. 



A very pretty poem, too, on this flower is in that delightful 

 book, " The Romance of Nature." It ends thus : 

 " Now the wise little flower, wrapped safe from harm, 

 Sat fearlessly waiting the coming storm. 

 Just peeping between 

 Her snug cloak of green. 

 Lay folded up tight, 

 Her red robe so bright, 



Though broide red with purple and starred with gold, 

 Mo eye might its bravery then behold.'' Ttcainlci/. 



