202 VERNAL FLOWERS. 



From the first appearance uf vegetation in the spring, until the 

 commencement of winter, nature presents an ever varjang scene. 

 The phenomenon of the fioicering of plants,* is, in many respects 

 similar to that of the putting forth of leaves ;'\ in both, the same causes 

 either hasten or retard this period. The putting forth of leaves, and 

 the blossoming of flowers, differ, however, in one circumstance; the 

 leaves begin by the upper leaf-buds; the flowers by the lower flower- 

 buds ; stipes, panicles, and thyrses, begin to blossom gradually from 

 the base to the summit, cymes and umbels blossom from the outside 

 to the centre. 



In plants of the north, transported to the south, the period of the 

 putting forth of leaves, and blossoming, is hastened; in those of the 

 south, carried to the north, it is retarded. Even in their native soil, 

 this period varies in some degree in different seasons. With greater 

 warmth of temperature, we have an earlier appearance of vegeta- 

 tion; yet in general this variation is so slight, that botanists are able, 

 by observation, to fix with a sufficient degree of accuracy, the time 

 of the fiowering of plants in particular latitudes and climates. 



The progress of vegetation varying little from latitude 40° to 43° 

 north, the remarks we make on this subject may apply to that re- 

 gion of country extending south to the mouth of the Hudson, north 

 to the mouth of the Mohawk, eastward to the Atlantic, and westward 

 to the Pacific Ocean. 



In Ohio, and the western part of New York, the climate, on ac- 

 count of the influence of the ]akes, and the cold, eastern winds from 

 the Atlantic being broken by ranges of mountains, is milder, and ve- 

 getation is somewhat earlier than in New England in the same lati- 

 tude. 



In some cases, a plant puts forth leaves and blossoms at the same 

 time ; but usually, the leaves appear before the flowers, probably 

 having a greater force to draw up the sap than the flowers, in which 

 it rises by slow degrees. We see little appearance of vegetable life 

 as early as March ; sometimes snow covers the ground nearly, or 

 quite through the month ; but if we examine the trees and shrubs, 

 even then, we may perceive, by the swelling of their buds, that they 

 have already felt the vivifying influence of heat, and that a little in- 

 crease of temperature will cause the embryo flower, or leaf, to burst 

 its prison and come forth. 



Vernal Floxrers. 



In April, the leaves of trees and shrubs begin to put forth ; a few 

 flowers show themselves, amid the damp, chilly atmosphere with 

 which they are surrounded. Among the most interesting of these 

 harbingers of spring is the Hepatica triloba, or liver-leaf; a lowly, 

 modest flower of a'pale blue colour, with beautifully formed, three- 

 lobed leaves. 



The low anemone, (Anemone nemorosa,)X with its pale blossoms, 

 is found in shady woods and damp pastures. The bright yellow 

 flowers of the colt's-foot ( Tusilago) brave the cold winds of early 

 spring, while the reluctant leaves wait for warmer breezes. 



* This is called ./Zorescen^ia. t Foliation. 



t This httle flower I have seen raising its head amid surrounding snows, on the 

 banks of the Poesten-kiln, a streamlet which flows into the Hudson, near Troy. 



Changes in vegination— Putting forth of leaves and blossoming of flowers agree in 

 some respects, differ in others — Plants of the north transplanted to the south, and 

 the reverse — Remarks on the progress of vegetation ; to what extent of country ap- 

 clying — Why do the leaves usuaiiv appear before the flowers? — Vegetation m March 

 — Plovers of April. 



