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bowed to, it inclines its stem and turns its leaves as 

 though in polite response to a salutation. 



The true sensitive plants are described by Mr de 

 Martius in his " Travels " as closing their leaves by 

 an agitated muscular movement when even a horse 

 galloped over distant ground, and equally started by 

 the approaching step of a man. The animation of an 

 extended group of these sensitives in the tropical 

 climate must carry with it to the mind of the beholder 

 a curious sensation of awakened conviction in regard 

 to the intensity of animation, which is less prominent, 

 though, as we believe no less actual in the vegetable 

 lives of colder climate. 



The burning sun of luxuriant growth of Mauritius, 

 for instance, reveal a movement and an expression 

 which, seen for the first time, convey a freshness of 

 conception which equals an added power of vision, 

 and is not readily forgotten, but ever after colors all 

 conceptions in regard to vegetable beings, as orga- 

 nized harmoniously, with complete organs for the 

 execution of equally complete functions. 



Mass. de Taenovsky. 



