xvi SYNOPSIS 



PAGE 



Do Vegetables and Fruits possess Capacity ? Answer in the affirma- 

 tive Experiment with a quince How the tests were taken 

 Experiments with onion, rhubarb, apple, banana, turnip and 

 orange described - 17 



CHAPTER II 



SOME SEEDS IN THEIR ELECTRICAL ASPECT 



Examination of seeds, in their various stages of development, of 

 great interest Some analogy between some immature seeds 

 and the human foetus Some law seems to govern both and also 

 cell-reproduction The HORSE- CHESTNUT seed illustrated 

 Method of preparation and testing Its construction, electrically 

 considered The insulating membranes and conducting layer 

 How the seed-pod is charged by the earth and the air Its 

 influence upon the seed substance Independent existence of 

 the seed only begun when it falls from the pod Changes which 

 then take place and how the seed-substance receives charge 

 (illustrated) The final appearance of the insulating membranes 

 (illustrated) The secretion of the pod and seed-substance 

 Chemical composition of the membranes A contrast The 

 EDIBLE CHESTNUT (illustrated) examined and tested How 

 different to the horse- chestnut Weird suggestion of fretus in 

 womb Higher order of growth Food as well as seed How it 

 is equipped to serve as both Its capacity compared with that 

 of the horse-chestnut Hypothetical explanation of the purpose 

 underlying it The ACORN (illustrated) How the seeds are 

 joined up electrically The contacts and insulation Twin 

 seeds and how they are given protection Cob-nuts (illustrated) 

 How joined up electrically and how insulation is preserved, etc. 22 



The Electrodes and Electrolysis : Experiments to determine the 



effect of electrolysis upon the deflections observed - - 35 



Primary or Secondary Cells ? Probably neither Cells undergo no 

 disintegration and no change Cannot be polarised or discharged 

 Length of life in direct ratio to absolute insulation Effect of 

 short-circuiting Plants " resting " in late autumn, winter and 

 spring Constancy of vegetable cells Theoretical explanation 

 of their long-sustained electrical activity - - 36 



Water in its relation to Plant Life : As dry earth is a non-conductor 

 of electricity water is also required as an electrolyte Experi- 

 ment with mustard and cress, ferro-sulphate and less water 

 Some suggestions - - 38 



