PLANTS THAT WALK 9 



ing plants. It takes a step, sends down little roots, 

 then another step, until it is satisfied. Whittier 

 claims that the Mayflower was the first flower to 

 greet the Pilgrims at Plymouth Rock when they 

 landed; and that it greatly encouraged them with 

 its beauty and courageous habits. 



Another good walker is the sensitive mimosa, 

 one of those curious sensitive plants which show 

 their objection to being handled by quickly closing 

 their leaflets, folding them together in pairs, when 

 touched. The sensitiveness of the plant is so ex- 

 treme that if one leaf is touched roughly the neigh- 

 bouring leaves will close in sympathy, and the whole 

 stem droop. They remain in this withered-looking 

 condition until they believe the danger to be past, 

 when they unfold their leaflets and brighten up 

 again. 



A dainty and much-loved walker is the twin- 

 flower. Its bell-shaped blossoms grow in pairs, 

 with their drooping heads suspended from an up- 

 right stem. They are a delicate crimson-pink, and 

 there is about them a delightful fragrance that is 

 like the odour of almond blossoms. The plant loves 

 the mossy ground of deep woods, where it walks 

 over a large area. 



But among the great walkers must be mentioned 

 the many grasses and sedges which thrive along 



