CONSCIOUSNESS AND PAIN 67 



In order to carry our observation further 

 and have the trials under better control, sup- 

 pose a splinter of wood, or a feather, be used 

 as the irritating object. If now thisawaken- 

 er of consciousness be cautiouslj'^ applied to 

 the back of the neck of an unsuspecting per- 

 son, it will arouse reaction, provided the fric- 

 tion has been sufficient to be felt. Suppose 

 we tickle the nose of a dog, who is taking a 

 siesta with his eyes shut; there is not sufficient 

 difference in the results to require comment. 

 If the back of a caterpillar or worm next be 

 tested, a wriggling of disapproval takes 

 place. Now touch the mantle of the lazy 

 clam, and make sure that your fingers are not 

 too near to be caught between the jaws of 

 the shell as it springs together. Tr\' a sea- 

 anemone and watch the speedy infolding and 

 packing away of its whole garniture of bril- 

 liant fringes. Proceed, if you choose, to the 

 bell-animalcule, the amoeba, and others of 

 lowest and simplest animals. 



But we need not stop with animals. Try 

 the same testontheleaf of the Venus' fly-trap, 

 and note the astonishingly quick interlocking 

 of the rat-trap edges of the leaf-blade, a 

 movement that has brought mortal surprise 

 to many a fly. Brush the inner surface of a 

 tendril of the wild cucumber and notice how 

 it begins in a moment to slowly coil up. 



