[102]

1877

Sleep

Melilotus suaveolens (Augt 2d) like M. officinalis: the terminal turns either to right or left; as in latter sp; the leaflets often do not fit exactly — somewhat irregular. The first leaflet formed above cotyledon, is orbicular & this turns vertically & answers fully to terminal leaflets of composed leaf

M. parviflora passiflora — all previous remarks applies to this species.

Bloom both surface all leaflets. both sp.

M Italica like previous ones, including first leaves, but plants young & terminal leaflet did not move against the lateral one.

M. sulcata & petitpierreana — same movements, but only a very few of the terminal leaflets turned to one side, & som of leaflets did not move a hardly at all: the laterals, when moving properly become vertical.— (a)

M. secundiflora: leaflets vertical, but medial one rarely approaches one of lateral ones: first single leaflet vertical only whilst young.

N.B I looked also again at M. sulcatus, having kept in the Verandah till I looked at it, so as to ascertain that it was not want of previous cold, which prevented its sleeping well

[102v]

Oct 5 M. sulcata examined this plant now in full flower & leaves sleep quite in normal manner.

[103]

Melilotus albas & infesta: both sleep well in usual way & the first orbicular single leaves— The cotyledons do not sleep. —

(1

Sept 16 1877

Melilotus officinalis

Plant left for a day in window of study facing N.E.— bristle fixed gummed to midrib of a terminal leaflet, directed at right angles to light & observed on following day which was generally cloudy day but between 1° & 2° sun shone & northern sky became brighter; with tracing given.— Tracing made on vertical glass fixed in front of leaflets— dot made by [frustrating] bristle to a point.— After 5° 30' P.m no dots cd be made as leaflet depended at a very high angle downwards, perhaps partly increased by weight of bristle. The lower diagram is the first. ie during day of 16th & the upper diagram during day of 17th.— The supposed nocturnal course represented by broken lines.— The first great movement is towards the light.— At about 4° remained for 45' on same spot. — Afternoon coldish. — on the 2d day ie. 17th— very little change of light during the day. The terminal movement leaflet seen in continual lateral movement, which apparently is independent of light.—

only circumnutate

(2

Sleep

How about petioles rising

Melilotus elegans & Taurica like the foregoing species

M. Taurica, sub-petiole of terminal leaflet unusually long; this leaflet twists vertically, but does not bend to right or left so as to approach to either lateral— the 2 laterals turn vertically, but somewhat irregularly & approach each other as much as in M. elegans & probably other species. orbicular single primary leaf turns vertically: cotyledons do not move.

Owing to little length of terminal sub-petiole, if this leaflet did bend to one side only a small portion of its base wd. come into contact with the lateral leaflets

Look to this again & about bloom

M. macrorrhiza— movements like all preceding species first leaves & all; the petiole of terminal leaflet rather long, & when in contact with one of lateral, a large proportion projects

M. dentata like all foregoing species in all respects.

M. gracilis do do do

M. Messanensis — sleeps like Trifolium repens exactly — the first leaf orbicular & stands vertically. Sept 19' F. [Frank] measured angle of petiole at night & day in greenhouse & cd perceive no difference. Does not look like a Trifolium.— (over)

Sept 29' observed at 8° 30' P.m. when leaves well asleep. Plant now grown 2-3 ft tall, terminal leaflet never shows any tendency to turn vertical during sleep on its own axis so as to become vertical, but often does not overlap neatly the 2 lateral leaflet which approach each other pretty closely. Movement closely like that of Trifolium.

[105v]

Melilotus messanensis. Sept. 29th Upper leaf. angle of petiole & with stem below stem — awake asleep awake 144 135° 30', awake next morning asleep previous night 144° 144° so had risen fallen a trifle in day if trustworthy when awake risen during night 8° 30 — next lower leaf asleep awake, 35° 30'. 140°— awake 135° 30', so had fallen in day 4° 30' asleep 142° so had risen during night 2°. I may say hardly any small movement during sleep of petiole; if any petiole rises a very little. but rises a very little