Perceptive Power of Vegetables. tj^t 



This curious fiirub, whicli was unknown to 

 Linnaeus, is a native of the Eafl: Indies, but 

 has been cultivated in feveral botanical gardens 

 here. I had an opportunity of examining it, 

 m the colletftion of the late Dr. Brown. Ic 

 is trifolious, grows to the height of four fttt, 

 and produces, in autunnn, yellov/ flowers. The 

 lateral leaves are fmaller than thofe at the ex- 

 tremity of the flalk; and all day long, they 

 are continually moving either upwards, down- 

 wards, or in the fegment of a circle: The laft 

 motion is performed by the twifting of the foot 

 ftalksj and whilft one leaf is rifing, its aflbciate 

 is generally defcending: The motion down- 

 wards is quicker and more irregular, than the 

 motion upwards, which is fteady and uniform. 

 Thefe movements are obfervable, durino- the 

 fpace of twenty-four hours, in the leaves'' of a 

 branch lopped off from the fhrub, and kept 

 in water. If, from any obftacle, the motion be 

 retarded, upon the removal of that obftacle 

 it is refumed with a greater degree of velocity.* 

 I cannot better comment on this wonderful de- 

 gree of vegetable animation, than in the words ' 

 of Cicero. Inanimum eft omne quod pul/u agitatur 

 externa -, quod autem eft animal, id motu cietur in- 

 teriore etjuo. 



I have thus attempted, with the brevity pre- 

 fcribed by the laws of this Society, to extend 

 • See Encyclopaedia Britannica, Art. Hedyfarum. 



our 



