THE SLEEP OF PLANTS. 



BY ELIZABETH OAKES SMITH. 



The leaves of plants are observed to take a peculiar position 

 during the night season; being folded over the germ, and the 

 whole presenting the appearance of rest. The common Locust 

 is a beautiful example of this, whence a child very prettily said, 

 " It is'nt time to go to bed till the Acacia goes to sleep." 

 Linnaeus elegantly terms this property of vegetables, " The 

 Sleep of Plants." 



Away, pretty zephyr, away, away, 



The flowrets all are sleeping, 

 The moon is out with her silver ray, 



The stars, too, watch are keeping — 

 It is all in vain, thou silly thing, 

 To lavish the incense from thy wing. 



They will not awake from love of thee, 



Gay truant from sunny skies — 

 Who dippest thy wing in the glassy sea, 



Stealing along with quiet surprise, 

 Bending the grass, and bowing the grain, 

 A moment here and away again. 



