No. 171. 
STYLIDIUM FRUTICOSUM. 
Cla: Order. 
GYNANDRIA DIANDRIA. 
This interesting little plant is a native of 
the south coast of New Holland, and was 
introduced in 1803. It requires the green- 
house in winter. It frequently produces 
ripe seeds, and may also be increased by 
cuttings. The soil should be sandy loam. It 
does not grow to any considerable size, there- 
fore the pots need not be very large. 
We have at present only two or three 
species out of the forty-five described by Mr. 
Brown. These plants are remarkable for 
the irritability of the column in the flower. 
This is curved, and when touched under- 
neath, it flies over by a sudden spring to the 
opposite side: in a short time it resumes its 
former situation. This curious property is 
doubtless intended by the Omnipotent Crea- 
tor for some wise purpose, which we are 
wholly incapable of accounting for. But 
how little indeed do we really understand, 
even of things which are every day under 
our immediate observation! In viewing such 
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