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Dictionary of Flowers, with Helenium, 297.

their emblematic signi- Heliotrope, Peruvian, 186.

fications, 305.

the Language

of Flowers, 255.

Dittany, 260.

Dock, patience, 284.

Dodder, 281.

Ebony-tree, 258.

Eglantine, 285.

Fennel, 295.

Fig, 280.

Fir tree, 264.

Flax, 274.

Hepatica, 261.

Holly, 243.

Honeysuckle, 99.

Hollyhock, 194.

Hop, 278.

Hornbeam, 284.

Horse-chesnut, 69.

Hortensia, 301.

Hyacinth, 270.

Ice-plant, 303.

Introduction, 1.

Iris, 282.

Ipomæa, 274.

Flower-de-Luce, 267.

Flowers, Calendar of, 317.

Ivy, 230.

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Language of, 255.

of, 254.

Flower-writing, illustration Language of Flowers, Dic-

tionary of, 255.

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Which many a bark with a weary guest
Has sought, but still in vain.

Yet is not life, in its real flight,

Marked thus-even thus

- on earth,

By the closing of one hope's delight,

And another's gentle birth?

Oh! let us live so, that, flower by flower,
Shutting in turn, may leave

A lingerer still for the sunset hour,

A charm for the shaded eve!

HEMANS.

When a plant is approaching its state of perfection, when its organs of nourishment are completely developed, and its vegetation is most luxuriant, then arrives the time of flowering, which has been aptly termed "the joy of plants." The most superficial observer must have noticed how different is the season of flowering of individual plants, and how each month is adorned with its particular flowers. When the intense cold of January confines us to our houses, the Black Hellebore, or Christmas Rose, unfolds its dazzling white blossoms; in February, the innocent Snowdrop presents to us her elegant cup. In the same month the Hazel puts forth

its catkins, and not rarely the early-blooming Crowfoot shows the blue tips of its clusters of blossom. March boasts a richer Flora; then the Violet delights us with its fragrance; the Mezereon offers its peach-coloured flowers, and the Primrose leads on a long train of the charming children of Spring. These now continue to advance in increasing numbers, displaying, especially in May and June, their highest splendour; till at length the Meadow Saffron takes leave of inclement Autumn, and, saturated with rain, the Mosses acquire fresh vigour, and open to the botanist a new field for investigation.

Not less different than the period of flowering is the time of the opening and shutting of flowers. Some plants habitually open and close their flowers by turns; others are governed in these respects by the weather; others again, by the length or shortness of the day: while some open and shut at certain hours, and thus furnish materials for composing the Dial of Flowers.

According to the observations of later botanists, the flowery crown of plants serves, among other things, to envelop the tender organs of

fructification, and to protect them from the pernicious influence of external agents. Those organs of fructification are the chief objects of the maternal care of Nature; while shut up in the flower-bud, they acquire that strength and perfection of parts, which enable them to endure the light of the sun and to perform the functions for which they are designed. It is not till they are capable of fulfilling these functions that the flower unfolds itself; but it again closes at such times when external influences might be injurious to the delicate organs of fructification. Many flowers can bear only the refreshing morning air and the first rays of the sun, but remain shut all the rest of the day. This may be particularly observed in the different species of Convolvulus, Ipomæa, and Goat's Beard. We find these in general open only till about eleven o'clock. In like manner, the Mallows and the Mesembryanthemums unfold their flowers about noon, and precisely at that time, in serene weather, open the singularly formed Drosera, and the common Purslain, which shut again in an hour. Others unfold themselves only in the evening, and continue

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