258 FREAKS OF PLANT LIFE. 



feature adds force to the suggestion made by Darwin, 

 that the movements \\'hich are termed " nocturnal " 

 or " sleep " movements, are caused in the same 

 manner, and only differ in degree from the ordinary 

 rotation of leaves and branches. In fact " nycti- 

 tropism " or the sleep of leaves is " merely a modi- 

 fication of their ordinary circumnutating movement, 

 regulated in its period and amplitude, by the altera- 

 tions of light and darkness." 



Viewed in any aspect, and under any name, 

 these phenomena are most interesting and curious. 

 Whether we choose to call them "sleep," or only 

 "periodic," it matters not, the facts themselves 

 cannot but enlarge our ideas of plant existence. If 

 we have been in the habit of considering that in its 

 manifestations of activity the vegetable world is much 

 the inferior of the animal world, investigations of 

 this kind will compel us to modify our somewhat 

 rash generalisations, and look with increased respect 

 on the organisms we have unduly depreciated. 



Floral apostles, that, in dewy splendour, 

 Weep without woe, and blush without a crime, 

 Oh, may I deeply learn, and ne'er surrender 

 Your lore sublime. 



