﻿CONSCIOUSNESS AND PAIN 



In order to carry our observation further 

 and have the trials under better control, sup- 

 pose a splinter of wood, or a feather, be used 

 as the irritating object. If now thisawaken- 

 er of consciousness be cautioush^ applied to 

 the back of the neck of an unsuspecting per- 

 son, it will arouse reaction, provided the fric- 

 tion has been sufficient to be felt. Suppose 

 we tickle the nose of a dog, who is taking a 

 siesta with his eyes shut; there is not sufficient 

 difference in the results to require comment. 

 If the back of a caterpillar or worm next be 

 tested, a wriggling of disapproval takes 

 place. Now touch the mantle of the laz\^ 

 clam, and make sure that your fingers arenot 

 too near to be caught between the jaws of 

 the shell as it springs together. Try a sea- 

 anemone and watch the speedy infolding and 

 packing away of its whole garniture of bril- 

 liant fringes. Proceed, if you choose, to the 

 bell-animalcule, the amoeba, and others of 

 lowest and simplest animals. 



But we need not stop with animals. Try 

 the same testontheleaf of the Venus' fly-trap, 

 and note the astonishingly quick interlocking 

 of the rat-trap edges of the leaf-blade, a 

 movement that has brought mortal surprise 

 to many a fly. Brush the inner surface of a 

 tendril of the wild cucumber and notice how 

 it begins in a moment to slowly' coil up. 



