MYSTICISM IN THE PLANT WORLD 
What a lesson lies in such phenomena! The 
power that can keep alive and unchanged the 
cells of a vegetable seed so many centuries is not 
likely to allow the soul of a man to perish. What 
an argument for immortality! What a breeder 
of strange and mysterious thoughts! 
There is much mysticism in the plant world. 
What man does not understand, he either holds 
in awe or contempt. The plants are too often 
treated with good-humoured derision, but 
among higher minds, their unintelligible fac- 
tors give them a greater fascination—a mystery 
and a psychic interest which is very alluring. 
The plants seem to be closer in tune with Na- 
ture than man. They place themselves under 
her direct tutelage, and are extremely sensitive 
to her various moods and fancies. They re- 
spond to influences of weather and time with 
remarkable alacrity. The scarlet Pimpernel 
in particular, is an excellent barometer. At the 
least indication of rain, it folds its petals to- 
gether in snug security, and, contrary to human 
beings, closes instead of opens the umbrella of 
its body. Ona rainy day, it never unfolds at 
all, so eager is it to keep its petals dry. 
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