PHENOMENA OP PLANTS. 
261 
VARIOUS PHENOMENA OP PLANTS. 
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 in plants, as preceding 
certain changes of weather. Lord Bacon, who was remarkably 
attentive to all the appeatances and changes of natural objects, 
is the author of some of the observations which we will now 
quote. 
“ duckweed, Anagallis. — When the flower expands boldly 
and fully, no rain will happen for four hours or upwards : if it 
continues in that open state, no rain will disturb the summer’s 
day ; when it half conceals its miniature flower, the day is gen- 
erally showery ; 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 beasts of draught, expect rest 
from their labor. 
11 Siberian Sowthistle, Sonchus. — If the flowers of this plant 
keep open all night, rain will certainly fall the next day. 
“ Trefoil , Hedysarum. — The different species of trefoil al- 
ways contract their leaves at the approach of a storm : 
hence these plants have been termed the Husbandman’s Ba- 
rometer. 
“ African Marygold. — If this plant opens not its flowers in 
the morning about seven o’clock, you may be sure it will rain 
that day unless it thunders. 
“ White thorns and dog-rose bushes. — Wet summers are gen- 
erally attended with an uncommon quantity of seed on these 
shrubs whence their uhusual fruitfulness is a sign of severe 
winter.” 
Beside the above there are several plants, especially those 
with compound yellow flowers, which nod, and during the whole 
day turn their flowers towards the sun, viz. to the East in the 
morning, to the South at noon, and to the West towards evening. 
This is very observable in the sowthistle, Sonchus arvensis ; 
and it is a well known fact, that a great part of the plants in a 
serene sky, expand their flowers, and as it were with cheerful 
looks behold the light of the sun ; but before rain, they shut 
them up, as the tulip. 
The flowers of the chick-wlntergreen, ( Trientalis,) droop in 
the night, lest rain or moisture should injure the fertilizing pollen. 
One species of woodsorrel, shuts up or doubles its leaves be- 
fore storing and tempests, but in a serene sky expands or un- 
folds them, so that husbandmen can foretel tempests from it. It 
Various phenomena of plants — Lord Bacon’s observations — Plants which 
turn towards the sun — Hang' their heads at night and in storms — Changes 
of flowers indicating changes of weather. 
