PLANTS THAT TELL TIME 105 
the time of day. Nor was the scheme original with 
Linneus, for, although to him is given the credit 
for this idea, there is a passage in Marvell’s poem, 
“The Garden,” which tells ‘the story of another who 
had planned his flower clock before ever Linnzus 
saw the light of day: 
“How well the skilful gardener drew, 
Of flowers and herbs, this dial knew! 
Where, from above, the milder sun, 
Does through a fragrant Zodiac run, | 
And, as it works, the industrious bee 
Computes its time as well as we. 
How could such sweet and wholesome hours 
Be reckoned but with herbs and flowers!” 
Any one whose childhood has been spent in the 
woods and fields of the countryside will recall the 
familiar name of the common goat’s-beard, “Go-to- 
bed-at-noon.” But there is no hour in the day that 
has not some flower to mark it! 
Beginning long before the sun, we find the 
goat’s-beard opening between the hours of three and 
five in the morning. Promptly at four, the late- 
flowering dandelion opens; while at various min- 
utes between four and five at least three plants, 
the hawkweed picris, Alpine hawk’s-beard, and wild 
succory, awake to greet the first rays of the morn- 
ing sun. 
At five, usually with the striking of the hour, 
