SECT, III. SENSATION. 463 



observed in the Papilionacece, Water-lily, and Plant and 

 others, as affording at least a strong presumption that 

 plants are endowed with the faculty of sensation : be- 

 cause he thinks it difficult to account for the phe- 

 nomena on any other supposition ; and because the 

 supposition is besides the most consonant to our 

 notions of the Divine goodness, as there are but 

 few plants in comparison that suffer from the attacks 

 of men or animals.* 



The opposers of this doctrine argue thus : If the 

 mere communication of a sentient principle were 

 sufficient to secure the happiness of the sentient 

 being, however situated and in whatever degree con- 

 ferred, then it might be consonant to our notions of 

 the Divine Goodness to suppose its existence in 

 plants. But as plants have no means whatever of 

 self-preservation or defence, and are exposed indis- 

 criminately to the perpetual attacks both of men 

 and animals, sensation could hardly be regarded as 

 a blessing if it were even conferred on them. We 

 detract nothing therefore from the Divine Goodness 

 by supposing them devoid of sensation ; we rather 

 add to it. 



And perhaps it is less difficult to account for the That may 

 phenomena in question than has been imagined. Is C o un ted 

 not the susceptibility of the Mimosa, Stylidium, f< 



wise 



and others to the action of irritating stimuli, some- 

 thing similar to that of the muscular fibre of ani- 

 mals when exposed to the action of the Galvanic 



* Introduction, chap. i. 



