[144]

1877

Thalia dealbata (marantaceæ)

Aug 31 I found tips of 2 leaves 21 1/2 inches apart during day & only 12 3/4 during night. So on Sept. 1. measured angle of petiole with midrib of older leaf & found it 114°: at night the angle was 133°, so that blade of leaf had risen 19°.

The same angle of younger leaf was during day 121° & during night the blade with its midrib stood vertically so that the blade had risen no less that 59°. The blade of this latter leaf was 13 2/8 long & 6 1/2 broad:

I know of no other such large leaf which sleeps.

(Sept 8th 9° A.m measured angle of petiole & midrib & then during 3' tipped up & down tip of leaf— pinched the joint & shook petiole, but angle did not vary.)

Canna Warzwicki [Warscewiczii]— Hedychium & Cecropia peltata do not sleep. —