78 
THE MORAL OF FLOWERS. 
THE SCARLET PIMPERNEL. 
ANAGALLIS ARVENSIS. 
“ Of humbler growth, though brighter dyes, 
But not by rural swains less prized, 
The trailing stems allure 
Of Pimpernel, whose brilliant flower 
Closes against the approaching shower, 
Warning the swain to sheltering bower, 
From humid air secure.” 
“ The name of this plant, Anagallis, retained from 
the old Greek and Roman authors, is probably from the 
verb avuye\,ouD, to smile; from the conspicuous beauty of 
its flowers: ” and truly does it merit any title indicative 
of simple yet brilliant beauty, for none of our wild 
flowers can exceed it in loveliness. 
The Anagallis closes its petals “at the approach of 
rain, as farmers and shepherds in general very well 
know: ” which propensity has obtained it a place in 
Dr. Jenner’s long and well-known catalogue of “signs 
of rain — 
“ Closed is the pink-eyed pimpernel.” 
