ANIMATED HEDYSARUM, 



O R T H E 



MOVING PLANT. 



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Generic Character. 



Keel of the Corolla tranfverfely obtufe. 

 Legume with lingle-feeded joints. 



Specific Character. 

 HEDYSARUM with ternate leaves. 



The plant of which a figure is here given was fome 

 years backwards tranfmitted to us from the interior 

 parts of Bengal, and ftruck the European Naturalifts 

 with aftonilhment at a phenomenon till then unknown 

 amongft vegetables ■ viz. a conftant and voluntary 

 motion ; unconnected with any peculiar irritability, as 

 in the feniitive plants and fome others, and neither ac- 

 celerated or retarded by external caufes. The motion 

 confifts in the alternate meeting and receding of the 

 two fmall appendages or leafets fituated on each lide 

 the footftalks, and which are engaged in this gentle 

 exercife during the greater! part of the day. 



In our own country, however, it is not always that 

 the fpecimensof this curious plant, in an air fo differ- 

 ent from that of their native regions, exhibit themfelves 

 to advantage : they frequently feel the benumbing ef- 

 fects 



