January 28, the Crocus (Crocus vernusj flowers. 



The Spuing Crocus (Crocus vemus) in its wild state in Switzerland is not yellow, but 

 white with a purple base, aeeording to Haller. In England it is of a pale purple eolour. 



Like the Snow-Drop, it is first protected by a sheath, or spatha, and lies near the ground. 

 Its transmutation from a human form is mentioned by Ovid in the fourth book of his Met*- 

 morphoses. 



Its congener, the Autumnal Crocus (Crocus Autumnalis) is also of a purple colour, as 

 best suited to this season of the year; nor does it blow till most plants begin to fade, and run to 

 seed. 



Say, what impells, amidst surrounding snow 

 Congeal'd, the Crocus' yellow bud to blow? 

 Say, what retards, amidst the summer blaze, 

 Th' autumnal bulb, till pale, declining days?— 

 The God of Seasons, whose pervading power 

 Controls the sun, or sheds the fleecy shower, 

 He bids each Flower his quickn'ing word obey, 

 Or to each lingering bloom enjoins delay. 



White. 



February 1, the Winter Hellebore (Helleborus hiemalis) flowers. 



Nature assumes now a more towering aspect, but still there is the same delicate white as in 

 the preceding month, and the Winter Hellebore presents us with flowers that have five 

 broad white petals, which afterwards turn to a dull green. 



As yon gay clouds, which canopy the skies, 

 Change their thin forms, and lose their lucid dyes, 

 So the soft bloom of beauty's early charms 

 Fades in our eyes, and withers in our arms. 

 Bright as the silvery plume, or pearly shell, 

 The fairest rose, or lily's virgin bell, 

 The snowy Hellebore attractive shone; 

 Pleas'd every sage, and every shepherd won : 

 Round the gay sisters press the enamour'd ba?ids 9 



And seek with soft solicitude their hands. 



Ere while how chang'd! — in dim suffusion lies 

 The glance divine, that lighten'd in their eyes ; 

 Cold are those lips, where smiles seductive hung, 



And the weak accents linger on their tongue 



As each fair feature turns to livid green, 

 Disgust with face averted shuts the scene. 





Darwin. 



