MOT 
In that state of the atmosphere which 
generally precedes a storm, and in a close, 
moist, and cloudy air, the winged leaves 
extend themselves along the common foot- 
stalk. The same appearance is observed in 
the leaves of the sensitive plant, when has 
been kept for several days in a cellar below 
ground. After sun-set, and daring the fall 
of the dew, tltey incline still lower, hang 
vertically downwards, and are applied close- 
ly together, like the leaves of a book, by 
the lower surface under the stalk, with 
which they stand at right angles. The odd 
lobe, if there is one at the extremity of the 
leaf, folds itself up till it has reached the 
first pair of lobes, or smaller leaves, in its 
neighbourhood. This motion, which Lin- 
naeus calls the sleep of plants, and can be 
produced by an artificial as well as natural 
dew, has been observed not only in com- 
pound leaves, such as those of the pea- 
bloom plants, but likewise in some simple 
leaves, particularly those of balsam, and 
bastard fever-few. The small leaves of false 
acacia and liquorice hang downwards dur- 
ing the night, but are not united by the 
under surface, like the greater part of legu- 
minous plants. Those of the sensitive plant, 
mimosa pudica, extend themselves longitu- 
dinally along the common foot-stalk, and in- 
fold one another mutually. The small lobes 
of several species of trefoil, lucerne, and 
lotus, are united only by then- summits, and 
form a cavity which contains the young 
flowers, and shelters them from cold and 
other injuries to which they are liable in tlie 
night-time. In some simple leaves, a simi- 
lar appearance is observed. Thus the upper 
leaves of garden orach approach during the 
night, unite perpendicularly, embrace the 
young shoot, and do not relinquish tliat 
posture till the sun has dissipated the humi- 
dity of the air. See Milne’s excellent 
Botanical Dictionary, to which we have 
been indebted for these observations. 
Motion, pepetml, or Movement. See 
Movement. 
MOTTO, in armoury, a short sentence or 
phrase carried in a scroll, generally under, 
but sometimes over the arms ; sometimes 
alluding to the. bearing, sometimes to the 
name of the bearer, and sometimes contain- 
ing whatever pleases the fancy of the devi- 
ser. The motto, or word, says Guillim, is 
an ornametit annexed to coat-armour ■, 
being the invention or conceit of the bearer 
succinctly and significantly expressed, 
usually in three or four words, which are 
commonly set in some scroll or compart- 
MOV 
raent, placed at the foot of the escutcheon. 
Our ancestors made choice of such mottos as 
expressed their predominant passions, as of 
piety, love, war, &c. or some extraordinary 
adventure that had befallen them ; most of 
which have become hereditary in several fa- 
milies. The motto of the royal family of 
England is dieu et mon droit, God and 
my right ; of the most noble order of th^ 
garter, honi soit qui mal y dense, Evilbe 
to him that evil thinks ; of the Dukes of 
Norfolk, sola virtus invicta, Only virtue 
is invincible; of the Duke of Beaufort, 
MUTARE VEL TIMERE SPERNO, I SCOm tO 
change or fear ; of the Marquis of Buck- 
ingliam, templa quam dilecta, How be~ 
loved are thy temples, in allusion to his name 
of Temple. 
MOVEABLE, in general, denotes any 
thing capable of being moved. The 
moveable feasts are such as are not regu- 
larly held on the same day of the year or 
month, though they are always on the same 
day of the week. Thus Easter, which is 
that moveable feast on which all the rest de- 
pend, is held on the Sunday which falls 
upon, or next after, the first full moon fol- 
lowing the 21st of March ; and all the 
other feasts keep a regular and certain dis- 
tance from it : such as Septuagesima, Sexa- 
gesima, Ash-wednesday, Ascension-day, 
&c. which see under their proper articles. 
The moveable terms are Easter-term, and 
Trinity-term. 
MOVEMENT, in mechanics, a machine 
that is moved by clock-work. See Clock. 
Movement, in military affairs. Under 
this terra are comprehended all the different 
evolutions, inarches, countermarches and 
manceuvres, which are made in tactics for 
the purpose of retreating from, or of ap- 
proaching towards an enemy. It also in- 
cludes the various dispositions which take 
place in pitching a camp, or arranging g 
line of battle. The science of military 
movements forms one of the principal fea- 
tures in the character of a great com- 
mander. If he be full of resources in this 
important branch, he may oftentimes de- 
feat an enemy without even coming to 
blows ; for to conceal one’s movements re- 
quires great art and much ingenuity. 
Movement, in music, the name given 
to any single strain, or to any part of a com- 
position comprehended under the same 
measure, or time. When any piece changes 
its time and measure, either from one spe- 
cies to another, or in the same species, it is 
then said to change its movement ; so that 
