species, the Oxalis acetosella, (Wood SoiTel, or 
Cuckow-bread) "which may be found in woods and 
shady hedges. We would recommend those who 
have carelessly passed by this little plant, as if it 
were unworthy of notice, and not a creature that 
shared with man himself, the special care — the 
never-ceasing protection of Divine Providence ; 
we would recommend them, we repeat, to stop, and 
let the lordly greatness of human nature bestow 
on a humble sharer of its own privileges, a passing 
notice. It courts the shade, as if its creeping scaly 
roots — close to the surface of the earth, shunned 
exposure. Its beautiful green leaves too, if not 
unduly oppressed, when the cheerful rays of the 
sun shoot forth, lift their parasols, and form a liv- 
ing pavilion over them, and the corolla expands to 
join in their protection, and to receive, itself, the 
celestial stimulant ; or as Daiwin poetically says 
“ To drink the golden quintessence of day.” 
The approach of a shower, or the dews of night, 
are warnings for exposure of the roots to their genial 
influence — and the escape of the delicate flowers 
and leaves from its too chilling effect. The flowers 
close up, the leaves let fall their canopies, the whole 
plant assumes repose. 
Thus it is with nearly all the Oxalidaceae, when 
living under the influence of a climate congenial 
to their nature — a circumstance which must always 
be taken into consideration, when we are studying 
the habits of a plant. The Oxalis articulata 
should be managed as a frame plant ; or if left in 
a dry border it should have a protection of moss, 
straw, or similar matter, in winter. 
