272 
CALANDRINIA UMBELLATA. 
them ; the moment its rays are intercepted, the petals fold together again. By 
what organic contrivance, and for what end these flowers have been endowed 
with so much sensibility to light, is a subject we may wonder at, but perhaps 
never penetrate. Whilst, however, we lament the fact as detracting from the 
value of the plant as an object of beauty, it may be interesting to those who are 
fond of abstruse inquiry and speculation. 
In its wild state it inhabits dry rocky places about Conception, in Chili, where 
it was first discovered by Ruiz and Pavon, and described in the " Flora Peru- 
viana" as Talinum umbellatum. The natives call it the Flor de la Mistela ; and 
the flowers are employed by the females to paint their faces. The plants sent to 
Messrs. Veitch's were met with by their collector, Mr. Lobb, in his exploration of 
that district. 
It is expected to prove quite hardy. Till this is better determined, however, 
it will be the safer plan to preserve it in pots in a frame, or on a dry shelf of the 
greenhouse, during the winter months. In summer it may be planted on rock- 
work, amongst a collection of Alpine plants. 
It may be multiplied by cuttings ; but, as seeds appear to be freely produced, 
they will probably form the readiest means of acquiring a good stock of plants. 
