PIMPERNEL . 
. ( 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 
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 country but are 
acquainted with this property of..the pretty little pim¬ 
pernel. Whenever its tiny scarlet blossoms are seen fold¬ 
ing 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 ; 
’Twill surely rain, we see’t with sorrow,— 
No working in the fields to-morrow.” 
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