PLANTS THAT TELL TIME 107 
sow-thistle, and the creeping mallow, close between 
twelve and one; between one and two, the prolifer- 
ous pink; promptly at two, the mouse-ear hawk- 
weed; and between two and three, the purple sand- 
wort ends its day. 
At three the field marigold closes; between three 
and four the African marigold; from four to five, 
the common morning-glory and the spotted cat’s- 
ear; and at five o’clock the Victoria Regia leaves 
her imperial white and golden throne and retires 
to the dainty, silken-walled, royal bedchamber. 
At about six the common nasturtium, the field 
clover, and the garden acacia, fold up their tents. 
Promptly at seven the naked-stalked poppy ends its 
day; between seven and eight, the copper-coloured 
day-lily; from eight to nine, the wild succory; and 
the chickweed, from nine to ten. 
From ten until five in the morning there are 
many night flowers, such as the fragrant night- 
blooming cereus, the ghostly moonflower, and the 
datura, to check off the hours and the minutes. 
Was there ever a human being who at some time 
in his life did not try to keep a diary? There 
seems to be some divine instinct inborn in the 
nature of all living things which prompts the rec- 
ord of their actions. Were it not for this instinct 
