FLORAL EXHIBITIONS." 277 



their blossom ; tlie tamarind closes its leaves over the fruit, the acacia 

 does the same, while the intention in other plants is the guarding the 

 under side of their leaves from injury. It is not to be supposed that 

 anvtliing approaching to tlie exhaustion of muscular power is the cause 

 of these phenomena ; the effect is most probably to be attributed to 

 cold air and the absence of light retarding the circulation of the sap. 

 To tliese different positions of tlie leaves Linnaeus lias applied a variety 

 of names, which would be uninteresting to the general reader. 



The most singular instance of this state of plants, and that Avhich 

 first attracted the notice of the great Swedish naturalist, occurred in a 

 species of Water Lily, Lotus ornitliopodioides. The plant, being rare, 

 was much prized by its owner, and two blossoms appearing on it, the 

 gardener was particularly cautioned to take care that no accident 

 occurred until more notice could be taken of it. Business prevented 

 its being thought of until the evening, but wlien it was produced no 

 blossom was visible. The next day the flowers were again seen, but in 

 the evening were not to be found ; the third day the same thing again 

 occurred, but after a very minute search each blossom was found 

 hidden under three leaves, as if covered with a pent-house, projected 

 from the air, and quite concealed from the most prying eye. " From 

 tliis," says Linnaeus, " we may see that the structure of leaves is not , 

 fortuitous, but destined by an omniscient Creator to answer some jiar- 

 ticular end." 



FLORAL EXHIBITIONS. 



ROYAL SOUTH LONDON FLORICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



The last exhibition for this season was held on September the 18th, in 

 the gardens of the Surrey Zoological Society. The number of visitors 

 was very great, and we were glad to observe nearly every Dahlia 

 grower of note in town, and from the country, even the very remote 

 parts, there ; it is long since we saw an equal number together. The 

 great source of attraction was the favourite flower the Dahlia, and 

 the dense throng in the large tents where the flowers were shown 

 evidenced the liigii estimation in which this unequalled flower is so 

 deservedly held. 



The past season has generally been very unfavourable to the Dalilia ; 

 the extraordinary ravages of the thrip, and the very varying weather, 

 at last followed by frost early in September, militated against success. 

 The flowers exhibited comprised quite an amazing amount, and we 

 never before saw so many flowers of real excellence exliibited on one 

 occasion. The prizes given were most deservedly merited. 



We noticed with much satisfaction tlie great improvement which 

 has taken place in regard to the properties of the fancy Daiilias. 

 Tliese begin to rival tlie perfection of self-coloured varieties, both in 

 form of petal aii<i general outline of the flower. Tlieir lively and at- 

 tractive appearance in borders and shrubberies will make this descrip- 

 tion of Dahlia a great favourite with all lovers of flowers. 



