202 
VERNAL FLOWERS. 
From the first appearance of vegetation in the spring, until the 
commencement of winter, nature presents an ever varying scene. 
The phenomenon of the flowering of plants,* is, in many respects 
similar to that of the putting forth of leaves ;t in both, the same causes 
either hasten or retard this period. The putting forth of leaves, and 
the blossoming of flowers, differ, however, in one circumstance ; the 
leaves begin by the upper leaf-buds; the flowers by the lower flower-, 
buds ; stipes^ panicles^ and thyrses, begin to blossom gradually from 
the base to the summit, cymes and umbels blossom from the outside 
to the centre. 
In plants of the north, transported to the south, the period of the 
putting forth of leaves, and blossoming, is hastened; in those of the 
south, carried to the north, it is retarded. Even in their native soil, 
this period varies in some degree in different seasons. With greater 
warmth of temperature, we have an earher appearance of vegeta- 
tion ; yet in general this variation is so slight, that botanists are able, 
by observation, to fix with a sufficient degree of accuracy, the time 
of the flowering of plants in particular latitudes and chmates. 
The progress of vegetation varying httle from latitude 40° to 43° 
north, the remarks we make on this subject may apply to that re- 
gion of country extending south to the mouth of the Hudson, north 
to the mouth of the Mohawk, eastward to the Atlantic, and westward 
to the Pacific Ocean. 
In Ohio, and the western part of New York, the climate, on ac- 
count of the influence of the lakes, and the cold, eastern winds from 
the Atlantic being broken by ranges of mountains, is milder, and ve- 
getation is somewhat earlier than in New England in the same lati- 
tude. 
In some cases, a plant puts forth leaves and blossoms at the same 
time; but usually, the leaves appear before the flowers, probably 
having a greater force to draw up the sap than the flowers, in which 
it rises by slow degrees. We see little appearance of vegetable life 
as early as March; sometimes snow covers the ground nearly, or 
quite through the month ; but if we examine the trees and shrubs, 
even then, we may perceive, by the swelling of their buds, that they 
have already felt the vivifying influence of heat, and that a little in- 
crease of temperature will cause the embryo flower, or leaf, to burst 
its prison and come forth. 
Vernal Flowers. 
In April, the leaves of trees and shrubs begin to put forth ; a few 
flowers show themselves, amid the damp, chilly atmosphere with 
which they are surrounded. Among the most interesting ,of these 
harbingers of spring is the Hepatica triloba, or liver-leaf ; a lowly, 
modest flower of a pale blue colour, with beautifully formed, three- 
lobed leaves. 
The low anemone, (Anemone nem,orosa,)l with its pale blossoms, 
is found in shady woods and damp pastures. The bright yellow 
flowers of the colt's-foot (Tusilago) brave the cold winds of early 
spring, while the reluctant leaves wait for warmer breezes. 
* This is called ^oresce??iia. ... Foliation, 
t This little flower I have seen raising its head amid surrounding snows,, on the 
banks of the Poesten-kiln, a streamlet which flows into the Hudson, near Troy. 
Changes in vegetation— Putting forth of leaves and blossoming of flowers agree in 
some respects, differ in others — Plants of the north transplanted to the soutli, and 
the reverse — Remarks on the progress of vegetation ; to what extent of country ap- 
plying—Why do the leaves usually appear before the flowers 7— Vegetation in March 
— Flov/ers of April. 
