native flowers.” It is, perhaps, also the most noted 
example of those plants which “ dedicate their beauty 
to the sun; ” as its blossoms expand in bright weather, 
“ and in the middle of the day only, closing towards 
evening; when they recline on the surface of the water, 
or sink beneath it.” 
“ The sinking of the flowers under water at night,” 
continues the botanist, “ having been denied, or at 
least doubted, I have been careful to verify it in this 
species. The same circumstance has been recorded 
from the most remote antiquity. The stimulus of light, 
which indeed acts evidently on other blossoms and 
leaves, expands and raises, with peculiar force, these 
splendid white flowers, that the pollen may reach the 
stigma uninjured; and when that stimulus ceases to 
act, they close again, drooping, by their own weight, to 
a certain depth.” 
Yes, thou art Day’s own flower — for when he’s fled, 
Sorrowing thou droop’st beneath the wave thy head, 
And watching, weeping through the livelong night, 
Look’st forth impatient for the dawning light, 
And, as it brightens into perfect day, 
Dost from the inmost fold thy breast display. 
