INTELLIGENCE OF THE CELL 251 



with the aid of ingenious mechanism invented by him- 

 self. This instrument is called a "Resonant Recorder." 



Writing about it in the Modern Review, of Calcutta, 

 Professor Bose says : "There are rhythmic tissues in the 

 plant, which, like those in the animal, go on throbbing 

 ceaselessly. These spontaneous pulsations in one case, as 

 in the other, are affected by various drugs in an identical 

 manner. And in one case, as in the other, the tremor of 

 excitation is transmitted with a definite and measured 

 speed from point to point along fiber-like channels." 



A writer in The Nation, London, describes the results 

 obtained in England by the use of Professor Bose's re- 

 cording device : "One of his delicate machines records 

 the exact rhythm of the leaf's pulsations. A needle sets 

 it down in dots on a piece of smoked glass. Then when 

 the professor doses the prisoner with alcohol the curve 

 becomes one of exhilaration. He gives it carbon dioxide 

 and the plant grows ill, and signifies the same in its 

 Morse code. He poisons it, and the pulse ticks dolefully 

 lower and lower till it finally stops." I have to use these 

 illustrations as arguments to overcome the natural 

 objection and prejudice that the reader will have against 

 believing that a microscopic being or a plant can possess 

 ieeling, pain and sorrow. It is hard for the reader to 

 comprehend that the little cell is his builder and care- 

 taker as well as that of the plant. 



The following, is an article from the Pittsburg Dispatch, 

 which shows that some plants see, hear and speak : 



"From far Brazil Harry J. Black, an American, is com- 

 ing with one of the most remarkable collections of or- 

 chids, valued at more than $75,000, together with several 

 .hundred other rare plants. Mr. Black is a well-known 

 editor-publisher of Buenos Aires, owner of Fraymocho, 

 an illustrated weekly printed in Spanish. He is arcom- 



