364 THE UNIVERSE. 



them. Some delicate molluscs rise towards dawn to the 

 surface of the sea, and sink beneath its waves so soon as 

 ever the sun gilds its undulating ripj^les. 



Again we behold plants or their corollas displaying 

 themselves and opening according to the seasons and 

 hours of the day. These are so exact that a sagacious 

 observer, attentively following up these phenomena, soon 

 sees that by means of them he can arrange calendars and 

 clocks, all the divisions of which the charming goddess of 

 flowers indicates accurately with her finger. 



It is known that Pliny, having noted with care the times 

 at which plants flower, conceived the idea that Ave might 

 make use of them to mark the different seasons of the 

 year. Cuvier even asserts that the Roman naturalist j^ro- 

 posed to arrange a complete floral calendar; but the project 

 was first thoroughly carried out by Linnteus, and it is one 

 of the most elegant conceptions of his genius. 



This floral calendar is accurate enough, and Ave can see 

 that each month of the year is exactly indicated by the 

 blooming of certain floAvers. The first month, despite its 

 snoAv and ice, sees the black hellebore flower. During the 

 second the alder shakes its catkins and the mezereon seems 

 to smile on the sj^ring, scattering its flowerets over its 

 boughs. In March the Avall-floAA^er decorates the old Avails 

 Avitli its golden corollas, and in our gardens the croAAm- 

 imperial opens its treacherous bells. The foUoAving month 

 the periAvinkle expands its leafy net-Avork in the shadoAV 

 of our forests. In May, floAvers abound; the iris, the 

 lily of the valley and the lilac perfume the air on every 

 side. During the months of June and July Flora parades 

 all the pomp of her empire; the foxglove, the sage, the 

 Avild poppy, the mint and the pink bloom in our fields 

 and Avoods. In August, the asters, dahlias and helianthus 



