THE BOSE INSTITUTE 253 



Sir Jagadis Bose's crescograph is so remarkably sensitive 

 that doubt was recently expressed as to the reality of its indica- 

 tions as regards plant growth : and the suggestion was made 

 that the effects shown by it were due to physical changes. A 

 demonstration in University College, London, on April 23, has 

 however led Lord Rayleigh and Professors Bayliss, V. H. 

 Blackman, A. J. Clark, W. C. Clinton, and F. G. Donnan to 

 state in The Times of May 4 : ' We are satisfied that the growth 

 of plant tissues is correctly recorded by this instrument, and 

 at a magnification of from one million to ten million times.' 

 Sir W. H. Bragg and Professor F. W. Oliver, who have seen 

 similar demonstrations elsewhere, give like testimony that the 

 crescograph shows actual response of living plant tissues to 

 stimulus. 



The following extract is reproduced from Bose's dignified 

 letter to The Times, May 5 : 



Criticism which transgresses the limit of fairness must 

 inevitably hinder the advance of knowledge. My special in- 

 vestigations have by their very nature presented extraordinary 

 difficulties. I regret to say that during a period of 20 years 

 these difficulties have been greatly aggravated by misrepresenta- 

 tions and worse. . . . The obstacles deliberately placed in my 

 path I can now ignore and forget. If the result of my work, by 

 upsetting any particular theory, has roused the hostility here 

 and there of an individual, I can the more take comfort in the 

 warm welcome which has been extended to me by the great 

 body of scientific men of this country. 



The difficulty among the orthodox, in science as in 

 religion, is the relation of new truth to old theory. The 

 innovator whose word or work cannot be accepted without 

 the modification or rejection of established dogma knows 

 of a surety what his destiny is. He must fight his way. 

 The kingdom of knowledge is taken by storm. In the case 

 of J. C. Bose, the Royal Society has admitted the innovator 

 and crowned his work. 



The life-story of Jagadis Bose is worthy of close and 

 ardent consideration by all young Indians whose purpose 

 is shaping itself towards the service of science or other 



