and before 20
hrs, had elapsed, a considerable curvature; but it was never fairly
clasped by the petiole. The young internodes are in continual
movement, which is considerable in extent, but very irregular; a
zigzag line, or a spire crossing itself; or a figure of 8 being
formed. The course during 12 hrs., when traced on a bell-glass,
apparently represented about four ellipses. The leaves themselves
likewise move spontaneously, the main petioles curving themselves in
accordance with the movements of the internodes; so that when the
latter moved to one side, the petioles moved to the same side, then,
becoming straight, reversed their curvature. The petioles, however,
do not move over a wide space, as could be seen when a shoot was
securely tied to a stick. The leaf in this case followed an
irregular course, like that made by the internodes.
Adlumia cirrhosa.--I raised some plants late in the summer; they
formed very fine leaves, but threw up no central stem. The first-
formed leaves were not sensitive; some of the later ones were so, but
only towards their extremities, which were thus enabled to clasp
sticks. This could be of no service to the plant, as these leaves
rose from the ground; but it showed what the future character of the
plant would have been, had it grown tall enough to climb.
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