PIMPERNEL . 
(Change.) 
“ More bitter far than all 
It was to know that love could change and die.” 
A. A. Procter, 
K 
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.” 
