PLANTS REST AT NIGHT. 83 
of many plants fall and le against the stem, 
reposing from their labours. Night comes on, 
The pale moon climbs the dark star-sprinkled 
firmament, and sheds her soft radiance over a 
slumbering world. ‘The hours steal by: man and 
beast are still at rest, and vegetation shares the 
general repose. But in the far East see the first 
grey streak, the foretoken of the rosy-fingered 
morning. ‘Then comes the cold and misty morn- 
ing twilight; and in a little while the great Orb 
of day himself rises in glorious golden majesty 
above the horizon. All things awake now to 
active duty; and the great world of plants is busy 
again on its daily task of forming, out of gas, 
the firm structures of branch and stem and 
root. 
Plants, however, do not wait for the full blaze 
of morning sun to renew their toils. So soon 
as ever a dim general light is thrown across 
the earth—so soon do they begin their work; 
although, of course, they perform it most actively 
in full daylight. 
This periodical resting of plants at night, is 
a very interesting fact. It shews us that the 
presence of the light of day is necessary to 
