so constantly. The sensitive plant is one of the best in- 
stances we have, but the sundew and Veuus fl\ -trap are 
not far behind. Other forms of motion in plants are 
recognized in the turning of roots in the soil, the turning 
of leaves to the light the reaction of stems to light, the 
coiling of tendrils and the so-called sleep movements of 
Second Hand V.vknish.— The resting buds of many 
trees and shrubs are covered with a resin or varnish that 
i-'cs nol lose its uselulness when the 
their purpose, but is gathered by 
. uses. Country Lite in America says 
:K . - . p. seen gathering this varnish from the 
poplar, horse -clicstnut, birch, willow, alder and the bal- 
Thh Mkdlak -The Medlar ( A/espA/Vus Germanica) is 
an ()l<i World fruit related to the apple and quince, well 
known by reputation at least from the fact that it is not 
edible until it begins to decay. The ripe fruits are hard 
weeks they become soft and edible. The decaying process 
is called hletting, and is probaljly similar to'that which 
causes the ])ersimmon and banana to slowly turn from 
astringent hard fruits to soft sweet and "edible ones. 
This is accomplished in the ease of the banana and per- 
the starches ami tannins to sugar and it is ([uite likelv 
that this is the case with the medlar also. Real decay, 
as we understand it, is caused by bacteria breaking up 
plant substances into simpler ones. It is probable that 
the Medlar dt>es not need to actually decay to become 
edible. 
