27 
nutriment imbibed, and could measure the work done, the weight 
lifted ; they could ascertain the force with which the valves of the 
heart contracted, they could know the weight of blood raised by it ; 
they could count the number of pulsations, and could ascertain the 
sum of the mechanical energy of existence—it equalled, one ton lifted 
124ft, high every twenty-four hours. They had arrived at least at this 
position—in man and animals generally the power which the food 
supplied was expended from hour to hour; in plants the larger pro- 
portion of this power was laid by, was rendered latent as it were, was 
not actual but potential, so the sum total of the mechanical energy of 
a plant was difficult to calculate. There was no absolute distinction 
between plants and animals ; every effort to make that distinction had 
failed and no doubt would fail. ; 
After a vote of thanks, proposed by the President, Mr. J. E. 
Haselwood, 
Mr. PIGGOT pointed out that it had been observed that cabbages 
grew more in windy than in quiet weather,—the supposed reason being 
that relays of carbonic acid were brought to them. 
Mr. WonrorR considered they must not accept as proved some of 
the experiments made, as they were so startling that, until they 
had been confirmed, there was ground for reasonable doubt. The 
experiments with drosera were not new, but were made by Knight and 
others nearly thirty years ago. 
Dr. HALLIFAX had heard nothing to upset the distinction between 
a plant and an animal, viz., a plant could assimilate inorganic matter. 
The food of an animal must have been elaborated by some vital 
principle before it could be assimilated. The case of fungi must be 
taken as an exception. 
Dr. CORFE drew attention to the selective power of the roots of 
plants, and, in the course of his remarks, stated that he was trying a 
series of experiments in that direction, and would some day lay them 
before the Society. He felt almost inclined to describe what he had 
seen as approaching closely to instinct. 
: Previous to the reading of the paper, the receipt was announced 
for the Society’s Herbarium, from Mr, G. DAVIES, ofa very rare Lichen, 
