110 GERMINATION 



by that fact demonstrated to be hjrper-physical in its nature, 

 and must be relegated to the different and mystical category 

 of the exclusively vitalistic. The very foundation of such 

 a statement would be swept away from under it, the moment 

 it was shown that the same phenomenon followed, under 

 the same circumstances, in conditions which were admitted 

 to be purely physical." 



Professor Bose experimented with a lead strip and having 

 obtained responsive after-effects from it went on to say : 

 " Since we obtain similar electrical effects from the inorganic, 

 it is clear that excitability is the property, not of the organic 

 alone, but of all matter. . . . It is therefore unnecessary 

 to call in the aid of such indeterminate factors as vitalism, 

 or assimilation and dissimilation." 



That is the kind of thing to which electro-physiology has 

 accustomed us. Two scientists disagree and a third differs 

 from both ! In justice, however, to Professor Bose I must 

 endorse the opinion that the phenomenon is a purely physical 

 one. 



The following experiments may serve to throw some 

 further light upon the matter : — 



For the first experiments laurel leaves were chosen, 

 principally because they were sufficiently thick and tough 

 to promise durable contacts, and were connected thus : 



Experiment No. 1. — The Deflection (D) was first taken 

 in air, i.e., with the bell jar removed. Galvanometer 

 resistance, 12,000°. 

 D = Off Scale, negative. 



The leaf was then switched to earth, the bell jar 

 replaced and the air exhausted; After ten minutes 

 D =15 mm. negative. 



Expectant of zero I was dissatisfied, regreased the 

 bell jar and substituted another leaf. 



