106 WONDERS OF PLANT LIFE 



Sunflower always follows the sun, there is no 

 doubt that the plant, in common with a large 

 number of species, does move its blossoms 

 towards the glowing orb. 



This is perhaps particularly noticeable in 

 the case of composite plants. The Common 

 Hawkweed, which grows so abundantly in our 

 fields, leans its blossoms over very distinctly 

 to the sun. Thus an observer standing with 

 his back to the south sees the field as a blaze 

 of gold, but turning in an opposite direction 

 there is nothing to be noticed save the backs of 

 the flowers. Much the same kind of thing is 

 to be seen in many species of Anemone. On a 

 brilliant day it is observed that the copse 

 appears to be starred all over with the white 

 flowers of the Wood Anemone, but with a slight 

 change of position the flowers seem to disappear, 

 simply because the blossoms are all fronting in 

 one direction. 



The Sensitive Plant is a species with many 

 interesting points. This curiosity goes to sleep 

 every night, but, of course, the most striking 

 feature of the plant is its extreme sensitiveness 

 to contact. As is so well known, the lightest 

 touch is sufficient to make the leaflets close 

 upon their support, the petiolules to draw up 



