THE SLEEP OF PLANTS 199 



vertical, and is now at an inclination of about 60 degrees to the 

 vertical. In consequence of the diurnal movement, the trunk 

 throughout its entire length is erected in the morning, and 

 depressed in the afternoon. The highest point of the trunk thus 

 moves up and down through one metre ; the ' neck/ above the 

 trunk, is concave to the sky in the morning ; in the afternoon the 

 curvature disappears, or is even slightly reversed. The large 

 leaves which point high up against the sky in the morning are 

 thus swung round in the afternoon through a vertical distance of 

 several metres. To the popular imagination the tree appears 

 like a living giant, more than twice the height of a human being, 

 which leans forward in the evening from its towering height and 

 bends its neck till the crown of leaves presses against the ground 

 in an apparent attitude of devotion. Two vertical stakes, 

 each one metre high, give a general idea of the size of 

 the tree and movements of the different parts of the trunk 

 (Fig. 24, p. 198). 



A difficulty arose at the beginning in obtaining sanction 

 of the proprietor to attach the recorder to the tree. He 

 was apprehensive that its miraculous power might disappear 

 by profane contact with foreign-looking instruments. 

 His misgivings were removed on the assurance that the 

 instrument was made in Bose's laboratory in India, and 

 that it would be attached to the tree by one of his assistants 

 who was the son of a priest. 



The phenomenon above described is not a marvel of 

 the mystical East : a similar thing had happened among 

 the prosaic surroundings of Liverpool ! An English friend 

 sent to Bose the following extract from the Liverpool 

 Mercury dated December 13, 1811. 



Remarkable Phenomenon. There is at present a willow tree 

 of considerable height and about three yards in circumference, 

 growing on the banks of a rivulet on a farm called Yubsill, the 

 property of the Rev. Mr. Wasney, near Shipton, which actually 

 appears animated : it will, at times, prostrate itself at full length 

 on the ground, and then rise to its original perpendicular position. 

 Incredible as this may appear, it is a fact, and has been the 

 astonishment of hundreds who have seen it ! ! ! 



