When
we see the helleborus foetidus and helleborus niger blowing at
Christmas, the helleborus hyemalis in January, and the helleborus
viridis as soon as ever it emerges out of the ground, we do not
wonder, because they are kindred plants that we expect should
keep pace the one with the other. But other congenerous vegetables
differ so widely in their time of flowering that we cannot but
admire. I shall only instance at present in the crocus sativus, the
vernal, and the autumnal crocus, which have such an affinity, that
the best botanists only make them varieties of the same genus, of
which there is only one species; not being able to discern any
difference in the corolla, or in the internal structure. Yet the vernal
crocus expands its flowers by the beginning of March at farthest,
and often in very rigorous weather; and cannot be retarded but by
some violence offered: -- while the autumnal (the saffron) defies
the influence of the spring and summer, and will not blow till most
plants begin to fade and run to seed.
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