PHENOMENA OF PLANTS, 
207 
The St. John's-wort blossoms near that saint's day. The scarlet 
Lychnis, called the great candlestick, or candle, (Candelabrum in- 
s-'ens,) was supposed to be lighted up for St. John the Baptist, who 
was a burning and a shining light. The white lily expands about 
the time of the annunciation^ aiiording another coincidence of the 
blossoming of white flowers at the festivals consecrated to the mother 
of Christ. The roses of summer are said to fade about the period 
of St. Mary Magdalen's day. 
The passion flower is said to blossom about Holy Rood day. M- 
iusions to this day being frequently found among . writers of forn er 
days, it may be well to inform you that according to the legends of 
the Romish church, the cross on which oar Saviour v.^as cruciiied 
was discovered in the year 326, by Helena, the mother of Constan- 
tine, who is said to have built a church on the spot where it lay. 
The word Rood signifies the Cross ; thus this day is the da}'' of tlie 
Holy Cross. 
It was during the middle ages, when the minds of men were influ- 
enced by the blindest superstition, that they thus imagined every 
operation of nature to be emblematical of something connected with 
their religious faith. Although these superstitions are trifling and 
absurd, they are interesting as connected with the annals of the hu- 
man mind, and as showing us the origin of many names of plants. 
Had the superstitious monks and nuns, who were the authors of 
these conceits, and at that time the most learned part of the commu- 
nity, been possessed of as much knowledge as most children in our 
country, they would have known that plants bloom earlier or later, 
according to various circumstances of climate 3 and that a flower 
which in Italy blossoms as early as February, might not appear 
in England before April; while the day of the Saint which the 
flower was supposed to commemorate, would occur at the same 
time in both places. 
Phenomena of Plants^ arising from changes in the atmosphere. 
Plants exhibit some phenomena which are supposed to arise from 
the state of the atmosphere ; accurate observers of nature have 
made remarks upon these changes, as prognosticating certain 
changes of weather. Lord Bacon, w\ho was remarkably attentive 
to all the appearances and changes of natural objects, is the author 
of the foflowing observations. 
" Chickweed, (Anagallis.) When the flower expands boldly and 
fully, no rain wifl happen for four hours or upw^ards: if it continues 
in that open state, no rain wifl disturb the summer's day ; when it 
half conceals its miniature flower, the day is generally show^ery ; 
but if it entirely shuts up or veils the white flower with its green 
mantle, let the traveller put on his great-coat, and the ploughman, 
with his beast of draught, expect rest from their labour. 
^''Siberian Sowthistle, (Sonchus.) If the flow^ers of this plant keep 
open all night, rain will certainly fall the next day. 
" IVefoil, (Hedysarum.) The different species of trefofl always 
contract their leaves at the approach of a storm ; hence these plants 
have been termed the husbandman's Barometer. 
African Mary-gold. If this plant opens not its flowers in the 
morning about seven o'clock, you may be sure it wifl rain that day, 
unless it thunders. 
" White thorns and dog-rose bushes. Wet summers are generally 
Holy Rood day— Ignorance of therirsnks and nnws— VariMUP ))i)enorneria ofplants— 
U)rd uMon s observauons— Chuu-os aowtrro i.iuicatju^ changes ox weather. 
