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magazined in the stalks and leaves, as in mints, 
and is rendered more sensible the more these parts 
are rubbed and bruised. In the flower, especially, 
the oily particles which produce the odour seem to 
be diffused as fast as they are secreted ; and hence 
it happens that the greater number of plants are 
more powerfully scented at one particular part of the 
day, and that almost ail flowers are most fragrant 
towards night.” 
The Musk Mallow, like the Wood Anemone, closes 
its petals at sunset; and as we hâve, in the chapter 
on that plant, extracted from a modem work some 
remarks on the sleep of leaves and flowers, we shall 
here quote a very quaint account of this property, 
given by Lord Bacon. * “ It is manifest that some 
flowers hâve two respects to the sun, the one hy 
opening and shutting, the other by bowing and in- 
clining their heads ; for most flowers open their leaves 
when the sun shines clear, and in some measure close 
them either towards night or when the sky is over- 
cast. Of this there needs no such solemn reason 
as that plants rejoice in the presence and mourn in 
the absence of the sun ; the cause being no more than 
Sylva Sylvarum. 
