PHENOMENA OF PLAN'''S 207 



The St. John's-wort blossoms near that sahit's day. The scaiicS 

 Lychnis, called the great candlestick, or candle, (Candelabrum in- 

 gens,) was supposed to be lighted up for St. John the Baptist, who 

 was a burning and a shining light. The white lily expands about 

 the time of the annunciation, affording another coincidence of the 

 blossoming of white flowers at the festivals consecrated to the mother 

 of Christ. The roses of summer are said to fade about the period 

 of St. Mary Magdalen's day. 



The passion flower is said to blossom about Holy Rood day. il- 

 lusions to this day being frequently found among writers of forn er 

 days, it may be well to inform you that according to the legends of 

 the Romish church, the cross on which our Saviour was crucitied 

 was discovered in the year 326, by Helena, the mother of Constan- 

 tine, who is said to have built a church on the spot where it lay. 

 The word Bood signifies the Cross ; thus this day is the day of the 

 Holy Cross. 



It was during the middle ages, when the minds of men were influ- 

 enced by the blindest superstition, that they thus imagined every 

 operation of nature to be emblematical of something connected with 

 their religious faith. Although these superstitions are trifling and 

 absurd, they are interesting as connected with the annals of the hu- 

 man mind, and as showing us the origin of many names of plants. 

 Had the superstitious monks and nuns, who were the authors of 

 these conceits, and at that time the most learned part of the commu- 

 nity, been possessed of as much knowledge as most children in our 

 country, they would have known that plants bloom earlier or later, 

 according to various circumstances of climate; and that a flower 

 which in Italy blossoms as early as February, might not appear 

 in England before April ; while the day of the Saint which the 

 flower was supposed to commemorate, would occur at the same 

 time in both places. 



Phenomena of Plants, arising from changes in the atmosphere. 



Plants exhibit some phenomena which are supposed to arise from 

 the state of the atmosphere ; accurate observers of nature have 

 made remarks upon these changes, as prognosticating certain 

 changes of weather. Lord Bacon^ who was remarkably attentive 

 to all the appearances and changes of natural objects, is the author 

 of the following observations. 



" Chickiceed, {Ayiagallis.) When the flower expands boldly and 

 fully, no rain will happen for four hours or upwards : if it continues 

 in that open state, no rain wiU disturb the summer's day; when it 

 half conceals its miniature flower, the day is generally showery ; 

 but if it entirely shuts up or veils the white flower with its green 

 mantle, let the traveller put on his great-coat, and the ploughman, 

 with his beast of draught, expect rest from their labour. 



^'■Siberian Sowthistle, (Sonchus.) If the flowers of this plant keep 

 open all night, rain will certainly fall the next day. 



" Trefoil, {Hedysarum.) The different species of trefoil always 

 contract their leaves at the approach of a storm ; hence these plants 

 have been termed the husbandman's Barometer. 



" African Mary-gold. If this plant opens not its flowers in the 

 morning about seven o'clock, you may be sure it will rain that day, 

 unless it thunders. 



'• White thorns and dog-rose bushes. Wet summers are generally 



Holy Rood day— Ignorance of the monks and nuns— Various phenomena of plants- 

 Lord f5acon's observations— Changes of tiowers imliciUing changes of weather. 



