282 FLORA DOMKSTICA. 



stantly but sparingly watered ; less in the winter, than when 

 exposed to the open air in summer. 



The Spear-leaved kind, which, like the former, is a na- 

 tive of the Cape, is a very pretty plant, flowering from May 

 to July, and may be treated in the same manner. 



MIMOSA. 



LEGUMINOS^E. POLYGAMIA MONOECIA. 



Commonly called the Sensitive-plant. French, herbe vive [live 

 herb] ; herbe sensible ; herbe sensitive ; acacia. It alian, sensitiva. 



SOME few species of the Mimosa may be preserved in a 

 warm inhabited room ; but they are mostly kept in a stove, 

 and few of them will bear the open air even in summer. 

 Like human beings, they are more sensitive in proportion 

 to the tenderness of their nursing : like them, by living 

 hardily, they may be fitted to bear the common chances of 

 life. In the plant, this nervous sensibility is encouraged 

 for its singularity : it is pity there should not be the same 

 reason for encouraging it in the human species. 



If the roots shoot through the pot at the bottom, the 

 plant should be turned out, the roots be pared close, and 

 then replaced in the same pot, or a larger, if necessary ; 

 but they do not thrive so well in large pots. Great caution 

 must be observed in watering them; they must have little 

 water at a time, but must not be suffered to remain quite 

 dry. 



Many persons have endeavoured to ascertain the cause 

 of the sensibility of these plants, but it has never yet been 

 clearly explained. The degree varies in the different kinds : 

 some will only contract their leaves on being touched; 

 others will bend and recede, as it were courteously to ac- 

 knowledge your approach; as that which is termed the 

 Humble-plant. 



