240 FAMILIAR FLOWERS OF FIELD AND GARDEN. 



stem and corolla are both perpendicular, and the 

 "fringed lids" are spread out horizontally like the 

 extended palms of one who stands a supplicant before 

 Heaven. The flower cup is about two inches long 

 and has four divisions, which turn back flatly at the 

 top ; these divisions are opened or closed according 

 to the brightness or dullness of the day. If a burst 

 of sunshine occurs on a dull day the flower expands 

 in a very few minutes. It always closes at night, 

 aiid it will not open the next day if the sun does 

 not shine. It can by no means be called common ; 

 I have found it in the vicinity of Boston and in 

 one or two localities on Long Island, but I have 

 never succeeded in finding it in the Pemigewas- 

 set Valley. It belongs generally in low grounds, 

 throughout our country, North and "West. As it is 

 presumably, a biennial plant, one must not be sur- 

 prised if it is not found year after year in the same 

 spot. Prof. Meehan expresses the opinion that the 

 length of its life is still uncertain, and he says, " Even 

 now the only certain point is that it dies after flower- 

 ing." The time to look for the flower is in October ; 

 and S. H. Bartlett says : 



" I know not why, but every sweet October 

 Down the fair road that opens to the sea, 

 Dear in the wayside grasses tinging sober, 

 Blooms my blue gentian faithfully for me." 



