Photos: J. J. Ward. 



THE "SENSITIVE PLANT" (Mimosa pudica) 



1. When one leaf -tip is touched or injured all the little leaflets fold up one after the other, then the secondary stalks drop, and 

 the main stalk of the leaf droops downwards. Soon the next leaf acts in exactly the same way. The closing of the leaves may be 

 produced by a severe shaking or by holding a lighted match below the leaf-tip. The illustration shows the expanded position of the 

 leaves in the daytime. 



2. Showing the leaves in closed or night position. A shower of rain will cause the leaflets to fold up in a few seconds. 

 The photographs show a seedling plant. 



Photos: 



J. Ward. 



BRANCH OF WILD CAMOMILE (Matricaria chamomilla} 



The left-hand photograph was taken at midday and shows the flower-heads flat ; the right-hand photograph was taken at 6 p.m., 

 and shows the flowers reflexed. Most flowers close to a bud at night, but the camomile folds its petals further back. The advantage 

 of this is not clear, and it may be merely an exaggeration of the normal movement of the expanding flower, but there may be some 

 purpose served. 



