POETRY OF FLOWERS. 155 
MARVEL OF PERU.—FOUR O’CLOCK. 
TIMIDITY. 
As sacred as the light 
She fears to perfume, perfuming the night. 
Edgar A. Poe. 
The belle of the night, as the gallant French 
have prettily named this sweet emblem of bash¬ 
ful love, was christened the Marvel of Peru, 
because of the wonderful diversity of colors in 
the flowers. Frequently from the same roots 
may be seen blossoms 
“ Changing from the splendid rose, 
To the pale violet’s dejected hue.” 
But what renders this bashful little floral 
gem a favorite flower, is the fact that it is 
one of those “ plants which wake when 
others sleep,” of which only a very few retain 
their nocturnal watchfulness in these colder 
climes, whatever may be their habits in their 
native tropics. Rare, indeed, amongst us, are 
those plants of which the poet sings: 
“ Thy flower, her vigil lone hath kept, 
With Love’s untiring care ; 
Though round her pinks and violets slept, 
She wakefully hath watched, and wept 
Unto the dewy air.” 
