PART IV.

LECTURE XXXVIII

THE FLOWERING SEASON OF PLANTS.

Vernal and Summer Flowers.

On entering the fourth division of our course, we find before us an open field, freed in a great measure from the technicalities of science, and presenting a smooth and delightful path. Hitherto, we have been clearing our way through difficulties, and overcoming obstacles; first, we were obliged to learn to analyze plants accord ng to the strict rules of botanical science; next to examine the organs of plants, anatomically and physiologically; we then investigated the principles of classification, as exhibited both in the natural and artificial methods, and followed the arrangements of plants as presented in these different methods.

The language of Botany is now familiar to the diligent student, who can enjoy the pleasant reflection, that by his own industry and application, he has elevated his mind to that state, in which it may, with little further effort, enjoy the pleasant views of the vegetable kingdom which now present themselves. Thus, the traveller, having toiled to gain some acclivity, looks complacently around, enjoying the beautiful view before him in proportion to the efforts made to attain it.

We will now suppose the dreary season of winter yielding to the gentle influences of spring, and organized nature awakening to new life and beauty ;-for animals, no less than plants, seem vivified and quickened by the returning warmth of this delightful season. How many wandering through life," with brute, unconscious gaze," have never made the inquiry, "what causes Spring?" With the greater part of mankind the ordinary phenomena of nature excite no interest; it is only when something unexpected occurs, that they think, either of first or second causes. But it should be the main object of education to teach youth to reflect, to seek the connexion between cause and effect; and especially, to look through second causes to the Great Being who is the First Cause of all—“himself uncaused.”

But to return to the question, "what causes Spring?" or to state it in another form, by what means does the Almighty produce the changes which this season presents? To answer this, we must refer to astronomical geography, which, pointing out the course of the sun, shows us, that having journeyed to his utmost southern boundary, he returns, crosses the equator, and with rapid strides advances towards the northern hemisphere, beaming more directly upon us, and increasing the temperature of the atmosphere; to chemistry we owe our knowledge of the effects of caloric on bodies; physiological botany shows us the sap or vegetable blood expanding by the influence of caloric, and every exhaling and inhaling organ of the plant commencing operations under the same powerful influence. The earth, released from the icy bonds of frost, turns kindly to the mute, but living children of her bosom, and imparts the maternal nourishment, which, rushing through every fibre of the ve getable being, invigorates it with health and strength.

Remarks introductory to the fourth part--What causes sp ing?

From the first appearance of vegetation in the spring, until the commencement of winter, nature presents an ever varying scene. The phenomenon of the flowering of plants,* is, in many respects similar to that of the putting forth of leaves ;t in both, the same causes either hasten or retard this period. The putting forth of leaves, and the blossoming of flowers, differ, however, in one circumstance; the leaves begin by the upper leaf-buds; the flowers by the lower flowerbuds; stipes, panicles, and thyrses, begin to blossom gradually from the base to the summit, cymes and umbels blossom from the outside to the centre.

In plants of the north, transported to the south, the period of the putting forth of leaves, and blossoming, is hastened; in those of the south, carried to the north, it is retarded. Even in their native soil, this period varies in some degree in different seasons. With greater warmth of temperature, we have an earlier appearance of vegetation; yet in general this variation is so slight, that botanists are able, by observation, to fix with a sufficient degree of accuracy, the time of the flowering of plants in particular latitudes and climates.

The progress of vegetation varying little from latitude 40° to 43° north, the remarks we make on this subject may apply to that region of country extending south to the mouth of the Hudson, north to the mouth of the Mohawk, eastward to the Atlantic, and westward to the Pacific Ocean.

In Ohio, and the western part of New York, the climate, on account of the influence of thesakes, and the cold, eastern winds from the Atlantic being broken by ranges of mountains, is milder, and ve getation is somewhat earlier than in New England in the same lati tude.

In some cases, a plant puts forth leaves and blossoms at the same time; but usually, the leaves appear before the flowers, probably having a greater force to draw up the sap than the flowers, in which it rises by slow degrees. We see little appearance of vegetable life as early as March; sometimes snow covers the ground nearly, or quite through the month; but if we examine the trees and shrubs, even then, we may perceive, by the swelling of their buds, that they have already felt the vivifying influence of heat, and that a little increase of temperature will cause the embryo flower, or leaf, to burst its prison and come forth.

Vernal Flowers.

In April, the leaves of trees and shrubs begin to put forth; a few flowers show themselves, amid the damp, chilly atmosphere with which they are surrounded. Among the most interesting of these harbingers of spring is the HEPATICA triloba, or liver-leaf; a lowly, modest flower of a pale blue colour, with beautifully formed, three lobed leaves.

The low anemone, (ANEMONE nemorosa,) with its pale blossoms, is found in shady woods and damp pastures. The bright yellow flowers of the colt's-foot (Tusilago) brave the cold winds of early spring, while the reluctant leaves wait for warmer breezes.

† Foliation.

This is called florescentia. This little flower I have seen raising its head amid surrounding snows, on the banks of the Poesten-kiln, a streamlet which flows into the Hudson, near Troy.

Changes in vegetation-Putting forth of leaves and blossoming of flowers agree in some respects, differ in others-Plants of the north transplanted to the south, and the reverse-Remarks on the progress of vegetation; to what extent of country ap plying-Why do the leaves usually appear before the flowers ?-Vegetation in March -Flovers of April.

Most species of the poplar are now in blossom; also the Salix, or willow, which is of the same class; this genus includes the weeping willow, or SALIX tristis,* sometimes called Salix Babylonica, alluded to in a beautiful passage in the Psalms, which represents the children of Israel, when carried into captivity, as sitting down by the waters of Babylon to weep, and hanging their harps on

"Willow trees that wither'd there."

Among the forest trees now in blossom, are the maple and the elm. In the meadows and moist grounds is the American cowslip, (CALTHA palustris,) a fine example of the class Polyandria; and the adder's tongue, (ERYTHRONIUM,) having a beautiful liliaceous flower; this affords a good example of the class Hexandria.

In woods, and by the sides of brooks, is to be seen the Sanguinaria, or blood-root, which bears a white blossom, more elegant and ornamental for a garden than many flowers which are brought from foreign countries, and affording from its root a highly valuable medicine.

The CLAYTONIA, or spring beauty, is also to be found at this season; the dandelion, too, is found among the earliest flowers of spring. The garden violet, which is an exotic; appears also at this time; the VIOLA rotundifolia, or yellow violet, with roundish leaves lying close to the ground, is found in the fields. Besides these, are found several species of Carex, a coarse kind of grass; the trailing arbutus, EPIGEA repens, and the TRILLIUM, which we remarked under the class Hexandria, as a flower exhibiting great uniformity in its divisions.

In May, many species of the Viola appear; there is sometimes a difficulty in determining between these species; the distinctive marks seem often to be blended; we are in such cases obliged to place our plant under that species to which it seems to have most resemblance.

One of the most interesting flowers of this season, found in woods and meadows, is the ANEMONE Virginiana, the Wind-flower, a name given, as some say, because the flower expands only in windy weather; its petals are large and usually white, the stem grows to the height of two or three feet, and contains one terminal flower. Several other species of the Anemone are in blossom about this time, The Xylosteum, or fly-honeysuckle, may be found, by the side of brooks; this is a shrub with blossoms growing in pairs; the UVULARIA, a plant of the lily family, having a yellow blossom, grows in the woods; the strawberry is now found, with its numerous stamens growing on the calyx; it has also many styles, each one bearing a seed.

The ARONIA is an early flower; a species of this, the shad-blossom, is not unfrequently found in April; this is a large shrub, often growing upon the banks of brooks, with white petals, clustering together in the form of a raceme.

Many of the mosses are now in blossom; these, we trust, you have learned to consider as presenting much that is interesting to those who understand their structure; but you will not be called on to examine the mosses in the commencement of your botanical studies, neither will they be likely to force themselves upon your notice. You no doubt were surprised to learn that they have flowers, and are considered as deserving attention; but you must recollect that

* Tristis (Latin) signifies pensive, or sad.

Flowers of Mav-Viola-Anemone, &c.-Mosses now in bloom.

they are the workmanship of the same hand that created the host of heaven.

The ARUM, or wild-turnip, is now in blossom; it is found in shady places. The root is valuable in medicine. The CALLA palustris, or water arum, abounds in wet grounds.

The AQUILEGIA, or wild columbine, with its horned nectaries, is found hanging in rich clusters from the clefts of rocks. The early garden flowers are the snow-drop, crocus, crown-imperial, violet primula, polyanthus, daffodil, and others of the narcissus genus.

Flowers of Summer.

The plants which are now in blossom are very numerous; we will mention a few of the most common and interesting.

A well-known shrub, the elder, (SAMBUCUS,) is now found along the sides of hedges, or on the margin of brooks, and in the meadows; the RUBUS, or raspberry, the RANUNCULUS, or butter-cup, the CYNOGLOSSUM, or hound's-tongue, and the TRIFOLIUM, or clover. It is recorded in history that when St. Patrick went as a missionary to preach the Gospel to the pagan Irish, "he illustrated the doctrine of the Trinity, by showing them a trifolium or three-leaved grass with one stalk; this operating to their conviction, the Shamrock, which is a bundle of this grass, was ever afterward worn upon this Saint's anniversary, to commemorate this event."

In the meadows is seen at this time the GERANIUM maculatum, a showy flower, and almost the only American Geranium; in the woods, the splendid ladies'-slipper, (CYPRIPEDIUM,) and the wild mandrake, (PODOPHYLLUM,) a flower of curious appearance.)

The genus CONVALLARIA, of which the Solomon's seal is an example, may now be found; it is usually white, of a funnel-form corolla. Some other species, as the lily-of-the-valley, have a bell-form corolla. The various species of VACCINIUM, of which the whortleberry is an example, are now in blossom; the woods are ornamented by the snowy white Cornus, or dog-wood flowers.

(In the early part of June the foliage of the trees usually appears in perfection; among the earliest are the willow, poplar, and alder; next are the bass-wood, horse-chestnut, oak, beech, ash, walnut, and mulberry, which are not all usually in full leaf before the middle of June.

At the summer solstice a new race of blossoms appears; as the roses, pinks, and lilies, with many other exotics. The Iris is found in stagnant waters and in gardens. Among native plants we now find the ASCLEPIAS, or milk-weed, of which there are some very showy, and some delicate species. The little bell-flower (CAMPANULA) may be seen nodding over the brows of the rocks.)

The brilliant laurel (KALMIA) is now in bloom. The climbing vir gin's-bower (CLEMATIS) hangs in graceful clusters of white flowers from the boughs of shrubs and trees growing by the side of brooks. The curious side-saddle flower, (SARRACENIA,) which was described under the class Polyandria, is now to be found in swamps and wet grounds. The mullein, with its long yellow spike, is very conspicuous in old fields and by the road-side.

More flowers are in blossom about the time of the summer solstice than during any period of the year, until the blossoming of the autumnal plants. The hot breath of summer seems to wither the expanding flowers, the earlier ones fade away, and the late ones du

Wild-turnip, &c.-Flowers of June-Elder, &c.-St. Patrick's use of the cloverGeranium, &c.-Convallaria-Trees-Blossoms appearing at the summer solsticeWhat effect does the heat of summer have upon flowers?

not immediately come forward;—it would seem as if the earth, hav ing poured forth in rapid succession innumerable treasures, now required a suspension of her efforts; but with recovered energy, she soon begins to spread forth new beauties, and to deck herself in her most gorgeous attire.

THE autumnal flowers differ in appearance from those which we find in the earliest part of the season. Few examples of the compound flowers occur until the latter part of July, and beginning of August; this is fortunate for students just commencing the analysis of plants; were they to find only the compound flowers at first, they would be discouraged; but nature seems kindly to lead them on step by step, reserving the more difficult plants until they have had an opportunity of becoming familiar with the easier classes.

There is little difficulty in learning to distinguish the different fam ilies of compound flowers; as an Aster from a Solidago or a Helianthus. But some of these families contain many species; and the chief difficulty consists, not in finding the genus, but in determining the species. Indeed it is not to be concealed, that there is, in this part of botanical science, some confusion among writers; and the student must not be discouraged if he is not always able to find his plant exactly to coincide with any other species described.

Among the fine flowers which autumn presents, are the scarlet LOBELIA, or cardinal flower; the yellow GERARDIA, (false fox-glove,) and the noble sun-flower, (Helianthus.) The LINNEA borealis is found in September; at this time the white pond-lily, (NYMPHEA,) one of the most splendid of American flowers, is seen whitening the surface of the lakes and ponds, sometimes alternating with the yellow water-lily, (NUPHAR,) a flower of less striking elegance than the former, but perhaps not less curious in its form.

(Another aquatic plant, which, although it blossoms in summer, continues in flower until late in the autumn, is the SAGITTARIA, or arrow-head, with a calyx of 3 sepals, and three white petals. The Eupatorium, or thorough-wort, which blossoms in autumn, has no external beauty to recommend it, but as a remedy in diseases, perhaps no plant is more useful.

Among the exotics which grace the decline of the year, are the splendid dahlias; the gay chrysanthemums blossom only on the verge of winter, but they require protection from frosts. We see among the last blossoms of the season, the aster, and some other compound flowers; these seem for a time to endure the autumnal blasts, but they gradually give way to the reign of winter; while the desolate fields and meadows present but a gloomy contrast to their former verdant and glowing appearance.

Evergreens.

L'uring the season of winter in our climate, no flowers appear, ex

Autumnal flowers-Are they proper for first lessons in analysis -Which is most difficult to ascertain, the genus or species ?-Various flowers of autumn-Last flowers of autumn-What flowers appear in winter?