140 From Matter to Man. • 



which is able to affect the other by means of the 

 communication so established. Hence the simplest 

 living being may possess a nervous system." * From 

 experiments performed on the growing roots of the 

 common bean, pea, scarlet-runner, etc., Darwin de- 

 monstrated that the radicles are sensitive to obstruc- 

 tion, and communicate influences which cause parts 

 of the radicles higher up to bend away from the 

 obstacle. By applying caustic and cutting thin slices 

 off the radicles, he also induced them to swerve from 

 the side of irritation. The most striking instance of 

 nervous action is, however, witnessed in the well-known 

 sensitive-plant which crumples up at a touch. 



For our purpose it is unnecessary to enlarge on this 

 subject ; for, whatever be the mode by which these 

 nervous-like influences are transmitted, the genesis of 

 nervous action undoubtedly reveals itself in plants. 

 Nerves are unnecessary if media exist which act as 

 nerves. In support of our contention that plants are 

 magnets, Huxley says, " the act of contraction is 

 accompanied by a disturbance of the electrical state 

 of the contractile substance," even as it similarly affects 

 the muscles of animals. Further, as words of pregnant 

 meaning, he says, " it does not seem to be distinguish- 

 able from what is called reflex action in animals." f 



(6) Parasitical Plants. — The lowest vegetal parasites 

 are the fungi, and by their likeness in function to 

 animal parasites, in preying not only upon other 



* Science and Culture, p. 158. 

 t Ibid., p. 157. 



