[107]

Oct. 2d. 1877

Melilotus officinalis Messanensis

Periodical movements of only circumnutation

Leaf with stem tied at right angles— youngish leaf on lateral branch.— The leaf stood projected so that mid-rib of terminal leaflet was almost horizontal, with the upper surface obliquely turned to light.— Bristle fixed along midrib & tracing made on vertical glass, by bringing end of bristle in line with point. The leaf from 8º 12 a.m to 9º 24' moved to light & then vertically down till 11º 6. — During this interval the sky from being very dull & foggy become bright— The movement was probably in relation to terminal leaflet in fact lateral. Then moved to light, but whether really to light is doubtful.

At 12º 13' began to rise. At 1º 40' 1.º 21' began to go back & expended — m force a 3º resumed old course & slow rose.

At — 5º 30 left glass, in becoming vertical & moving to one side. Next morning (Oct 3) at 6º 40' was much higher & sank, so that 7º 40' was near point where started on previous morning.

[in margin:] Day with nearly uniform light— slightly cloudy. Vertical glass almost at right angles to leaf.

Oct 3d same leaf with plant in same position traced. From 7º 40 given in (1) leaf fell considerably till 8º 30', when tracing (2) commenced at 8º 30. At 11º 30' lowest point. At 1º 13' went back & commenced zig-zags, so nearly at same time as yesterday. At 3º began to rise, ie at same time as yesterday & so continued rising & moving in direction of window, but probably not influenced by light. At 4º 35 was beyond limits of glass. Next morning at 7º 45' stood lower than the previous morning at same hour.