76 
FLORAL POESY. 
The river nobly foams and flows, 
The charm of this enchanted ground. 
And all its thousand turns disclose 
Some fresher beauty varying round ; 
The haughtiest breast its wish might bound. 
Through life to dwell delighted here; 
Nor could on earth a spot be found 
To nature and to me so dear. 
Could thy dear eyes, in following mine, 
Still sweeten more these banks of Rhine ! 
PIMFERNEL. 
( Change.) 
“ More bitter far than all 
It was to know that love could change and die.” 
A. A. Procter. 
HE Pimpernel does not unfold its brilliant petals 
1 until eight o’clock in the morning, and refolds 
them towards noon : this habit has obtained for it the 
cognomen of “the poor man’s weather-glass ; ” whilst 
for its usefulness in foretelling the approach of rain, it 
is frequently known as “the shepherd’s warning.” 
Few who have passed a portion of their life in the coun¬ 
try but. are acquainted with this property of the pretty 
little pimpernel. Whenever its tiny scarlet blossoms are 
seen folding up their delicate petals, it may be deemed, 
a certain indication of approaching rain ; and as such 
a sign Darwin notices it : 
