Rensselaer Republican, Volume 17, Number 17, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 1 January 1885 — Some Wonderful Plants. [ARTICLE]

Some Wonderful Plants.

In the west of India are found thorny plants, or trees, nearly destitute of verdure, except what appears to be long, shaggy hair, which derives its nourishment from the atmosphere, rather than moisture from the earth. The “moving plant” is a native of the basin of the Ganges. Its leaves revolve in various directions during the day and night, except occasionally on a very hot day, when the plant seems to desist from its habitual motion for temporary repots. A high wind is said to have the effect to produce a cessation of its action. At times, again, only certain parts of the plant are noticed to be in motion—a leaf, or perhaps a branch; and it seldom occurs that some portions of it are not quite motionless, while the remainder is active. Near the Irrawaddy grows the borassus flabell 'formis, which bears a leaf of wonderful dimensions, and which is said to be of sufficient size to cover twelve men standing pprigbt. - At Timor, near the Island of Java, a plant is fouftd, the leaf of which, being of a thorny nature, possesses a fatal •ting when penetrating the flesh. The victim, if not fatally poisoned, frequently suffers protracted illness. This plant is well called “devil’s leaf." “Dbcnk again,” exclaimed Mm Rnizsle, aa her husband come in at midnight. “Ntuorin’ of the kind, my dear, I’sb on’y a lii dhaypated." L