Gainesville daily sun. (Gainesville, Fla.) 190?-1938, 1908-07-13

A sensitIve-PIant Freak Unknown to
the World at Large.

from his touch is a fact so well known
that the wonder OF it has ceased to
awaken surprise or comment; but the
discovery OF a still more astounding
characteristic OF Florida tree-life. is
still so recent that II is almost totally
unknown to the world at large, and
partakes so much OF the incredible,
that human race can scarcely enter
tain or grasp its truth.
II is significant, too. that you will
search in vain through the standard
works Of the worlds great naturalists
for any reference to the habit Of the
Acalapha BIusherina. or the blushing
tree as 1t Is Familiarity known to the
residents OF Punta Gorda, says The
Sunta GOrda Herald.
The leaf OF this tree or shrub is
large, heart-shaped, and Of a vivid
green.
BY the merest chance 1t was discov-
cred that the coloring matter Of the
leaves OF this shrub Is sensitive not
only 70 human touch but to human
thought
A little reflection will show the ire
mendous importance Of this discovery
which is nothing more or less than
the bridging OF the claim between
plantlife and animal-life.
II may be said that to Punta Gorda
has fallen the honor Of discovering
this missing link.
Some years ago party OF hunters,
among whom were Captain f. M.
Cooper and Clayton Porter, were camp
Ing at shutdown beside a cypress
swamp. Small game had been plenti.
ful and It had been good day, judg.
ing by the game bags.
After an appetizing camp supper,
pipes were lighted and stories as a
natural sequence were IN order, and
on this particular occasion Captain
Cooper especially distinguished him
self as a reconteur. Hunters stories
seldom partake Of a grave OF histori.
cal character. bat the Captain stoutly
denies that the discovery Of the blush.
Ing tree was co-incldent with the
moment when he was handing out a
hot one.
However, the fact remains that he
stopped short, pulled up suddenly In
the middle OF his story aud swept a
scrutinlzing glance around on the
faces Of his companions, exclaiming.
by Jove, what's the matter with you
fellows2 / wouldn't expect q mild
little yarn like that to draw the blood
TO your faces" One OF the party re-
torted. What's the MISTER with you?
When a man has TO blush at one Of
his own stories, IT'S about time to
hand him the halo"
Just then another member OF the
party drew attention 10 the tree under
which they reclined. II. too, was
stained rich, red color In sharp con-
trast to the deep green OF It's normal
appearance and the radiation OF It's
rosy tint was reflected ON the face OF
the men reclining beneath II.
"well, by thunderl" reared the Cap
tain. watch her changing color. will
your She's pale pink. now yellow
and now green again. Talk about your
chameleons. she makes the choicest
Of them look faded" rounding on
these comments with a series OF as.
sorted and cracking profanlties. The
tree. shocked no doubt at the Ian.
guage. shlvered a little and then grad.
ualiy became transformed Into a
tender red thing. the very pcrsonif.
cation OF modesty
"Boya" said Captain Cooper. rwe've
got 70 scttle this thing to our satisfac.
tion II rs really blushlng tree,
every man % YOU needs one or more
In the front yard ClAyt, suppose you
TRY one OF your peachIest yarns on
the tree till we end out n she's sensl
tlye 70 other than my brand
Thercupon the trcc was subject e
a most trying and convincing test by
each member % the party, lasting goI
over two hours, during which time, \
h said, che sensitive plantlrcnk never
host its deep carmlne tint ns course
these noble hunters assert that thes
qaite outshone themselves On that
memorable occasion, hut Il was all n
the interest Of science. but be thar 81
4 may, the discovery ~ this rare and