186 
MOVING PLANT. 
and that they move downwards with less facility 
than they do in a contrary direction. 
The cause by which this singular faculty in the 
Hedyscirwm gyrans is effected;, still remains to be 
discovered. It seems necessary to the very exist- 
ence of the plant ; and as a proof of its importance 
in the oeconomy of this vegetable, the leaves are al- 
ways in the greatest state of agitation when the 
plant is in full bloom, and the germ begins to swell. 
From this circumstance we may infer that there is 
something more in this motion than we are aware 
of; and that the opinion of Broussonet, that the 
agitation of the air is the principal cause of this 
phsenomenon, will hardly be admitted; especially as 
the plant continues to move day and night, whether 
exposed to the open air, or shut up from its influ- 
ence in the green-house. 
The power which actuates this plant, from what- 
ever stimulus it may proceed, is not easily destroyed; 
since the leaves will continue to move for some days 
after a branch is separated from the main stem, pro- 
vided it is kept in water. 
The Indians, who observe these motions with a 
kind of superstitious reverence, and who are ever 
ready to place a confidence in the subject of their 
admiration, gather on a certain day two of the la- 
teral leaves of this plant, while they are in the act 
of approaching each other. These they pound, to- 
gether with the tongue of a species of screech-owl, 
and firmly believe that this preparation will prevent 
their being crossed in love, by rendering the object 
of their affection propitious. 
