Pimpernel. 
(CHANGE.) 
“ More bitter far than all 
It was to know that love could change and die. ” 
A. A. Procter. 
T HE scarlet Pimpernel shares with the common red poppy 
the honour of being the only instances of bright scarlet 
blossoms amongst our British wild flowers, flowers of that vivid 
hue generally requiring the tropical sun to warm them into 
life. 
This bright little emblem of change does not unfold its 
brilliant petals until eight o’clock in the morning, and refolds 
them towards noon: this habit has obtained for it the cogno¬ 
men of “ the poor man’s weather-glass ; ” whilst for its useful¬ 
ness 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 country but are acquainted with this pro¬ 
perty 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: 
“ Closed is the pink-eyed pimpernel; 
In fiery red the sun doth rise, 
Then wades through clouds to mount the skies; 
5 T will surely rain, we see’t with sorrow,— 
No working in the fields to-morrow.” 
Should rainy weather endure for several days, the pimpernel 
is said to lose its sensibility, and fails to foretell the coming 
change. 
This flower was said to have derived its ancient name of 
Centunculus, from cento, “ a covering,” because it spreads itself 
so profusely over cultivated fields ; but more recently that 
appellation has been transferred to the chaffweed. It was also 
