Sensitive Plant, 
Hlimosa pudica. Natura Orprer: Leguminosae — Pulse Family. 
SENSITIVE soul shrinks when wounded or stung by the 
rudeness or sarcasm of a thoughtless tongue, and in this plant 
a curious analogy to this feeling is found. The Mimosa has 
the peculiar property of retraction, when touched by the hand 
Kop or other substance. There are four plants which have the 
5 is same peculiar power, the names of which are: Dwarf 
‘~ Cassia, called also Sensitive Pea, an elegant plant with yellow flowers; 
the Wild Sensitive plant, whose leaves close by night and when 
touched; the Sensitive Brier, and the above, which is about a foot 
high, with a shrubby stem. The flowers of the Mimosa pudica are 
small, and bloom in heads, and are of little beauty. It is a native of 
Brazil, and is often cultivated as a curiosity, as its leaves droop if 
touched, or if the stalk of the shrub is shaken all the stems sink 
down as if they felt a thrill of horror pass over them, and only recover after sev- 
eral hours. sie Sepa 
Bashtul Modesty. 
yteet she laughed, and she blushed withal, 
That blushing to her laughter gave more grace, 
And laughter to her blushing. — Spenser. 
HE sensitive plant was the earliest HE sweet eyes that his eyes were set upon 
Upgather'’d into the bosom of rest; Were hid by shamefast lids as he did speak, 
A sweet child weary of its delight, And redder color burned on her fresh cheek, 
The feeblest and yet the favorite, And her lips smiled, as, with a half-sad sigh, 
Cradled within the embrace of night. He ’gan to tell his lovesome history. 
-- Shelly. --William Morris. 
I° maids be shy, he cures who can; 
But if a man be shy —a man— 2 
Why, then the worse for him! —Jean Ingelow. 
O bright the tear in beauty’s eye, CRIMSON blush her beauteous face o’erspread, 
Love half regrets to kiss it dry; Varying her cheeks, by turn, with white and red; 
So sweet the blush of bashfulness, The driving colors, never at a stay, 
E’en pity scarce can wish it less. Run here and there, and flush and fade away. 
f \ —Byron. —Parnell, 
esse a Ty 
