i8o LIFE AND WORK OF SIR JAGADIS C. BOSE 



to the accelerating effect of light stimulation of subminimal 

 intensity. 



Effect of Strong Stimulus. The maximum energy radiated 

 by my transmitter, as stated before, was only moderate. In 

 spite of this, its effect on plants was exhibited in a very striking 

 manner. The balance was immediately upset, indicating a 

 retardation of the rate of growth (Fig. 21, b). The latent 

 period, i.e. the interval between the incident wave and the 

 response, was only a few seconds. The record given in the figure 

 was obtained with the moderate magnification of 2000 times 

 only ; but with my Magnetic Crescograph the magnification 

 can easily be raised ten million times, and the response of 

 plant to the space-signalling can be exalted in the same 

 proportion. 



Under an intensity of stimulus slightly above the subminimal, 

 the response exhibits retardation of growth followed by quick 

 recovery, as seen in the series of records given in Fig. 21 (c). 

 The perceptive range of the plant is inconceivably greater 

 than ours ; it not only perceives, but also responds to the 

 different rays of the vast sethereal spectrum. 



These revelations are as unexpected as they are start- 

 ling. They show that the pretension of man and animals 

 for undisputed superiority over their hitherto despised 

 ' vegetative brethren ' does not bear the test of close 

 inspection. 



