404 



ZSSSOJVS WITS PLANTS 



a direct means of adaptation to oiroumstanoes or as a protection 

 to the plant; but in the present state of our knowledge, this is 



largely assumption. 



Fig. 424. 



Sleep of the 

 hepatica. 



510. The flowers of 



hepatica have been 



studied in Figs. 131 and 



153. If, however, the 



artist were to .draw the 



plant at night or in 



early morning, he would 



make a picture like 



Fig. 424. The entire 



flower droops by 



the bending of 



the scape, and 



it straightens up 



and expands in 



the day-time. 



The sleep of 



plants, then, 



may be more than a 



simple closing of the 



flowers. 



510a. Is it common for early 

 spring flowers to close or to droop 

 at night? The -pupil may now be 

 interested to explore the garden 

 with a lantern. 



511. One of the most remarkable movements 

 in plants is that of the leaf and leaflets of the 



