ii4 WONDERS OF PLANT LIFE 



nearly so simple, and lead one to the conclusion 

 that these organs may be able to feel at a dis- 

 tance. The roots of trees will not infrequently 

 force their way in between the brickwork of wells 

 some distance above the water level, finally 

 spreading out downwards until their growing 

 points are completely immersed. A little fern, 

 which the writer had in his possession, was most 

 interesting in this connection. The plant was 

 growing in a pot which always stood in a saucer 

 of water. It would seem that the supply of water 

 was not sufficient for the needs of the specimen. 

 On this account the plant actually sent down a 

 root on the outside of the pot to the water in 

 the saucer beneath. It is sometimes noticed that 

 the roots of tropical Aroids, such as the Monsteras, 

 when grown under glass, are very clever in direct- 

 ing the growth of their roots towards water tanks 

 which may be beneath them. 



A very singular case of root perception, and 

 one which it is interesting to recall, is recorded 

 by Carpenter. He tells us that in a hollow in 

 the upper part of an old oak, the seed of a Wild 

 Service Tree was accidentally sown. After the 

 germination of the seed the little plant grew for 

 a while in the decayed vegetable mould collected 

 in the opening. As the young tree increased in 



