186 THE HUMAN SIDE OF PLANTS 



records of their achievements for the benefit of fu- 

 ture generations. 



In truth, it has been shown that for nearly all 

 the characteristic traits and powers of human kind, 

 there are corresponding traits and powers in plant 

 life some of which compare favourably with the 

 human race; some far excel it; and some are in- 

 ferior in their development. 



But there are two characteristics of the human 

 being, the two most distinctive qualities of human 

 nature, which one would hardly associate with the 

 nature of plants. These qualities are mentality 

 and spirituality. 



That very human powers of sensation and in- 

 stinct are natural to plants has been shown re- 

 peatedly; therefore, in discussing plant mentality, 

 these powers will not be referred to, but only that 

 mentality which realises, reasons, and wills. It is 

 positively known that plants do have both an ac- 

 tive, existing mentality and a very evident spiritual 

 nature. 



Consider first the evidences of plant mentality. 

 Great and unbiassed minds have for many years 

 been centred" on the study of plant habits, in the 

 hope of finding some conclusive evidence of an 

 existing mentality in plant life. As a result of 

 these exhaustive investigations, occasional articles 



