The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1805-05-21

Violently 4 f,lecifn. and reru.cs itct.f. For the
prcsence at irr,tahili,y can Only be proved by
the experience al irrita.one, and the idea Of IL
ritation involved in it that OF feeling.
! But there is fpecies of the order of Dacan-
dria, which conitanty and uniformly exerts a
ielf moving power, uninfluenced either by che
mica itir'u, or by any external impuife what
ioever. This curious ih,ub, which was I'M
known to Linsts, is native OF the Ear Indies,
but has been cultivated in feveral botanical gar.
dens here. had IN opportunity of examin-
ing it. in the collection of the late DIR. Brown.
1t is trfo!ius, grows to the height OF four feet,
and produces, in autumn, Yellow howers.-
The lateral leaves are tinaler than thofe 1t the
extremity ofthe ak; and all day long, they
are continually moving either upwards, down.
wards, or in the Regiment of 4 circle the latt
motion is performed by the twiaing of the foot
talks; and while one leaf is r;ling, its Allocate
is generally defending: the motion down.
wards is quicker and more irregular than the
motion upwards, which is ftcady and uniform.
Theie movements arc obferv sabc, during the
ipace of twcnty-four hours. in the leaves of a
branch Topped otf from the fhrub, and kept in
water. II, from any obitacles the motion be re-
tarGed, uron the removal of that obnacle, II
/. rs returned with greater degree of velocitv.&
cannot better comment on this wonderful de-
gree OF vegetable animation, than in the words
of Cicero. Harimum e9 0nns 7,l7d oniGs ari-
fainr esfsrno; qsod anfeu ef animal, id morn
| eietar Interfere ef ITO.
| have thus attempted, with the brevity pre.
| icribed by the laws of this fociety, to extend
our views of animated nature to gratifv the
mind with the contemplation of multiplied ac-
ceilons TO the general aggregate of felicity; and
to exalt our conceptions Of the wiidom, power
| and benehcence of God. In an undertaking.
never yet accomplished, disappointment can he
no difgrace; in one, direGled 10 fuch noble oh
je6ts, the motivesa are publication, independ-
emily of fucceis. Truth, indeed. obliges me "a
! acknowledges, that / review my REGULATIONS
with much dithdence; and, that dare not pre.
!; inme 20 expect they will produce any perna-
nent conviction in Others, becauie I experience
III infabilty of opinion in myfelf. For, to ufe
the language of FULLY, Nsseio suomodo, DIN, T.
go s9sniior; enm 3giia f5rma, a1lnEo ou,nis lila
| eL7bitnr. But this fccpticiiIn is perhaps 70 be
aicribed TO the influence of habtual precop
ceptions rather than to deficiency of reafona-
| bic proof. For befides The various arguments
which nave been advanced, in favour of yeqeta-
BILE perccptivty, it may he further urged, that
the hypothesis recommends itfelf, by its confon-
ance TO thoie higher aualogies of nature, which
lead us to conclude, that the greateft poiiible
ium of happineis exits in the uuiverfe. The
bottom of the ocean is overfpread with plants.
of the mott luxurient magnitude. Irnmcnfe re.
glons OF the earth are covered with perennial
forets. Nor are the Alps, or the Andes, defti-
tute of heritage, though buried in faov. And
can it be imagined, that fuch probation of life
fubifts without the leaf fenfation or enjoy
ment Let us rather, with humble reverence,
iupPofe, that vegetables participate, in fome
low degree, of the common allotment Of itaIi
ty; and that our great Creator hath apportion-
cd good to all living things, in number, weight,
md meafure.t