286 IN THE GUIANA FOREST. 



tions in exposure, every stem is differently curved, 

 twisted, and bent, some leaning in this direction 

 and others in that, the only point at all general 

 being towards the sea, and against the prevailing 

 wind. 



Other trees do not show themselves to be equally 

 sensitive in the trunk, but there are many signs by 

 which they can be recognised as not devoid of 

 feeling. It is, however, in the roots where this 

 sense predominates, but we need not quote ex- 

 amples as they will occur to every naturalist. 

 Those plants called " sensitive " are equally well 

 known, as are also the fly-catching sun-dews. They 

 may be adduced to prove that leaves do many 

 things that are not explicable by mere reflex 

 action. As for flowers we have already dealt with 

 them to a certain extent, and will only mention 

 the well-known fact that the stamens are often 

 peculiarly irritable, which is the highest develop- 

 ment of feeling. 



Taste and smell are so intimately connected 

 with each other, as well as feeling, that they can 

 hardly be considered apart. Roots are undoubtedly 

 able to distinguish suitable from unsuitable food, 

 and though they may be poisoned now and then, 

 this is nothing strange as the same thing happens 

 even to man. Their sensitive tips go wandering 



