INTELLIGENCE OF THE CELL 241 



earth's crust, of all the different animal and plant struc- 

 tures which were at one time the abode of the cell, we 

 get an idea of the vast experience and work of the cell, 

 and the tremendous age of this planet. 



We must now consider the actions of plants. A plant 

 is a stationary abode, so constructed that its occupants 

 can get out into the sunlight in the summer and make up 

 the different building material and food that it may need. 

 Trees generally build temporary structures for the season, 

 called leaves, where they get the use of the sunlight. 

 When they get a "hunch" that winter is coming, they 

 scurry back into the tree, cut the leaves loose and close 

 up the connections. Some plants climb up the sides of 

 other plants and structures. They build out tendrils with 

 which they grasp hold of other plants and attach them- 

 selves permanently. 



In reference to these moving, grasping, highly sensitive 

 plants, Darwin has this to say : 



"We see how high in the scale of organization a plant 

 may arise, when we look at one of the more perfect ten- 

 dril bearers. It first places its tendrils ready for action, 

 as a polypus places its tentacula. If the tendril be dis- 

 placed, it is acted upon by the force of gravity and rights 

 itself; it is acted on by the light and bends towards or 

 from it, or disregards it, whichever may be most advan- 

 tageous. During several days the tendrils spontaneously 

 revolve with a steady motion. The tendril strikes some 

 object and quickly curls around and firmly grasps it. In 

 the course of some hours it contracts into a spire, drag- 

 ging up the stem and forming an excellent spring. All 

 movements now cease, by growth the tissues soon be- 

 come wonderfully strong and durable. The tendril has 

 done its work and has done it in an admirable manner. 



"Spreading out their branches in contact with any 



