POETRY OF FLOWERS. 185 
PIMPERNEL. 
CHANGE. 
More bitter far than all 
It was to know that love could change and die. 
A. A. Procter. 
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 cognomen cf 
“ the poor man’s weather-glass whilst for its 
usefulness in foretelling the approach of rain, it 
is frequently known as “ the shepherd’s warn¬ 
ing.” Few who have passed a portion of their 
life in the country but are acquainted with this 
property of the pretty little pimpernel. When¬ 
ever its tiny scarlet blossoms are seen folding 
up their delicate petals, it may be deemed a 
certain indication of approaching rain. 
Should rainy weather endure for several days, 
the pimpernel is said to lose its sensibility, and 
fails to foretell the coming change. 
There is a blue variety of this little blossom, 
as also a rose-colored one, but this latter is 
very rare. A pure white kind, with a beauti¬ 
ful purple centre, is sometimes met with in 
Wales. 
Doubtless it was some such symbol floweret 
as this frail emblem of change which Holmes 
pictured in his “ mind’s eye” when he sang: 
