no WONDERS OF PLANT LIFE 



The duration of each movement varies from about 

 one and a half to three minutes, and if a leaflet 

 should be restrained for a while, the rate of travel- 

 ling is very much increased. Although it is nothing 

 like so perceptible, the larger leaflets also change 

 their position, moving first to the right, and then 

 to the left, with a slow, continuous movement. 

 The most singular point about the jerks of the 

 leaflets of the Telegraph Plant is that they seem 

 to occur quite spontaneously, and not in response 

 to any external stimulus. The explanation of 

 this strange phenomenon is still wanting, neither 

 is it easy to see that the plant derives any benefit 

 from its remarkable habit. Specimens of the 

 Telegraph Plant are to be seen in most botanical 

 gardens. 



Among the insectivorous plants there are to 

 be found some striking instances of plant sensa- 

 tion ; indeed, certain of the species are very 

 highly specialised in this direction. The Droseras, 

 or Sundews, are well-known little plants found 

 in various parts of the world, the genus being 

 represented in Great Britain by three examples. 

 The Round-leaved Sundew (D. rotundifolia) is 

 found commonly in boggy places. The plant, 

 although small, is rendered somewhat conspicuous 

 on account of its rosettes of bright-red leaves. It 



