49 



a stalk an inch or two long, having on it, at about half an inch 

 from the flower, two very small bracts.. The corolla before it 

 opens is plaited up in a curious manner, and when unfolded is 

 shaped like the mouth of a French horn, of a beautiful pink 

 color, striped in a star-like manner with yellow. The flowers 

 open only in the sunshine, closing up at night, or before a 

 shower. They are often very fragrant. This is a very trouble- 

 some weed to the farmer. Miss Twamley gives the following 

 pretty lines on this plant : 



" We merry flowers are running, 

 The meadow mazes through, 

 And be farmer's e'er so cunning, 



We're as cunning too. 

 Now up an ear of Barley 



We nimbly twist and twirl, 

 To deck its brown stem early. 



With a wreath of pink and pearl. 

 We climb the Poppy's hairy stalk, 



And with wrath he grows more red 

 To see us, weeds of the meadow walk. 



Peer up above his head. 

 And many a time the farmer vows 



He'll banish us his land; 

 But still run up the Hawthorn bough, 

 A merry and myriad band. 



GREAT BINDWEED. Convolvulus sepium. 



Plate 3, fig. 6. 

 Stems climbing. Bracts large, close to the flower. 



Climbs boldly to the top of the hedges, putting out in the 

 autumn very large, delicately white, solitary, trumpet-shaped 

 flowers, each inclosed in a five-leaved calyx, and this almost 

 concealed by two heart-shaped bracts, which distinguish it at 

 once from the last ; besides this it grows larger in every part. 

 " The Bindweed pure and pale, 



That sues to all for aid. 

 And when rude storms assail 



Her snowy virgin veil 

 Doth like some timid maid, 

 In conscious weakness most secure, 

 Unscathed its sternest shocks endure. 

 " How fair her pendant wreath, 



O'er bush and brake is twining, 

 While meekly there beneath, 

 'Mid Fern and blossom'd Heath, 



Her lovelier sister's shining. 

 Tinged with such tender hues as streak, 

 A slumbering infant s glowing cheek." A. Strickland. 



The only other species is the Sea-side Bindweed, a plant with largo 

 rose-colored flowers and kidney- shaped leaves. 



E 



