286 



breck's xew book of flowers. 



gether, and the petiole at the same time droops. The 

 cause of this motion has been the subject of many curi- 

 ous speculations. " The most irritable part of the plant 

 is in the foot-stalk, between the stem and the leaflets. 



MIMOSA PUDICA. 



l)uring the night, they remain in the same state as when 

 touched in the day-time ; yet, if touched then, will fold 

 their leaves still closer." 



*' Miller, in one of tlie earlier editions of his Diction- 

 ary, speaks of a Calabrian philosopher, who was driven 

 mad by considering the mysterious nature of this plant ; 

 'just,' continues he, ' as Aristotle is said to have flung 

 himself into the sea, because he could not comprehend the 

 ebbing and flowing thereof.' " 



"When any of the upper leaves are touched, if in falling 



