22 ELECTRICAL STRUCTURE AND 



'CHAPTER II 



SOME SEEDS IN THEIR ELECTRICAL ASPECT 



So far I have not been able to find time to study the 

 electrical problems presented by germination, but I am 

 convinced that when this is done even greater proofs of 

 the universality of the law will be forthcoming. The 

 subject is a sufficiently vast one to call for more than the 

 labours of one man and the compilation of one book, but, 

 so far as I am concerned, it must be reserved for future 

 investigation. 



The examination of seeds in their various stages of 

 development present features of interest which cannot fail 

 to claim the attention of the student, and although my 

 opportunities for observation have been limited by a 

 variety of circumstances, I am glad to be able to offer some 

 food for thought and, I hope, additional stimulus to 

 research. 



During our consideration of the nature of the nervous 

 impulse we, or at all events some of us, learn that in the 

 case of the human foetus independent existence is only 

 begun when air (oxygen) is first taken into the lungs and 

 complete circulation established until that moment the 

 child is dependent upon the maternal blood-stream and 

 will note, in the chapter upon Cell-reproduction, that the 

 so-called " resting " stage of a cell is really a developing 

 stage. That being so, it follows, I think, logically, that 

 while a seed is still attached to the parent plant or tree it 

 is equally dependent with the unborn child, and that the 



