THE MOVEMENTS AND HABITS OF PLANTS. 5 



when we look at one of the more perfect tendril-bearers. 

 It first places its tendrils ready for action, as a polypus 

 places its tentacula. If the tendril be displaced, it is 

 acted on by the force of gravity and rights itself. It is 

 acted on by the light, and bends toward or from it, or 

 disregards it, whicheTer may be most advantageous. Dur- 

 ing several days the tendrils or internodes, or both, spon- 

 taneously revolve with a steady motion. The tendril 

 strikes some object, and quickly curls round and firmly 

 grasps it. In the course of some hours it contracts into 

 a spire, dragging up the stem, and forming an excellent 

 spring. All movements now cease. By growth the tis- 

 sues soon become wonderfully strong and durable. The 

 tendril has done its work, and has done it in an admirable 

 manner. 



The Power It is impossible not to be struck with the 



in Plan*™ resemblance between the foregoing movements 

 page 571. of plants and many of the actions performed 

 unconsciously by the lower animals. With plants an as- 

 tonisbingly small stimulus sufi5ces ; and even with allied 

 plants one may be highly sensitive to the slightest con- 

 tinued pressure, and another highly sensitive to a slight 

 momentary touch. The habit of moving at certain pe- 

 riods is inherited both by plants and animals ; and several 

 other points of similitude have been specified. But the 

 most striking resemblance is the localization of their 

 sensitiveness, and the transmission of an influence from 

 the excited part to another which consequently moves. 

 Yet plants do not, of course, possess nerves or a central 

 nervous system ; and we may infer that with animals 

 such structures serve only for the more perfect transmis- 

 sion of impressions, and for the more complete intercom- 

 munication of the several parts. 



