Erratum
At page 59 I have said that there are only three or four species of Mimosa which are sensitive. This is a mistake, as the greater portion of the species in the extensive genus Mimosa, as well as some species of several other genera of Leguminosæ, and also of Oxalidaceæ, possess this curious property. I cannot find, however, that any one has suggested in what way the sensitiveness may have been useful to the species which first acquired it. My guess at an explanation may therefore induce botanists who are acquainted with the various species in a state of nature, to suggest some better solution of the problem.
Notes
1. Illustrations and footnotes have been located in appropriate paragraph breaks.
2. Obvious typographical errors have been corrected. Other than these and particular changes noted below, inconsistencies in spelling have been retained as printed.
3. Where a word is used repeatedly in the same way, hyphenation has been made consistent, preferring the form most often used in the printed work, or failing that the more usual form in general use at the time of publication. No typographical change has been made within direct quotes from other works.
4. Page 47: “single volcanic mountains” has been changed to “single volcanic mountain”.
5. Page 51: “Cælogynes” has been changed to “Cœlogynes”.
6. Page 115 and Index: “Dr. Gardiner” has been changed to “Dr. Gardner”. (George Gardner, author of “Travels in the Interior of Brazil”, London, 1846).
7. Page 221: The chapter heading “CHAPTER VI” has been changed to “VI”, consistently with the other chapter headings.
8. Page 259 and footnote: “Euplæa” has been changed to “Euplœa”.
9. Page 264 (footnote): “Phlogænas johannœ” has been changed to “Phlogœnas johannæ”.