184 DICOTYLEDONS LEGUMINOS-ffi LABIAT2E DIAGRAM 12. 



exported into all parts of the world. The indigo is one of the 

 best dyes for its fastness, and one of those which are most easily 

 renewed. 



The sensitive plant is a small leguminous plant which only 



grows in hot coun- 

 tries, but is often 

 grown in green- 

 houses because of 

 the curious sensi- 

 bility to which it 

 owes its name. 

 In the evening, its 



compound leaves 

 Leaf of sensitive plant open. The same closed. , , , 



close up and hang 



down to sleep ; but those of nearly all leguminosse act in the 

 same manner. "We have already spoken of the sleep of the 

 clover, and of the false acacia. What is peculiar in the sensitive 

 plant is that when the leaves are expanded and the weather is 

 warm, the leaves close and droop immediately if touched, as 

 if they were going to sleep. Little by little they rise up and 

 re-open slowly, to close and droop again, as soon as they are 

 touched anew. 



FAMILY LABIATE DIAGRAM 12. 



The Labiatse like the Leguminosae form a family in which there 

 is a very considerable resemblance between the plants. "We may 

 take the ivhite dead nettle as an example, though it is not a useful 

 plant to man. "We notice immediately that the stalk is square, 

 unlike that of most plants j moreover the leaves are always 

 arranged two and two on the stem ; they are opposed, as it is said 



