1004 Marvels of the Universe 
the fringe is very delicate, but in the lower it develops into long tentacles, and between these gleam 
the eyes, which are usually deeply coloured, either indigo-blue or green, and appear to be endowed 
with optical powers of a comparatively high order. 
WNT, WN WILLING QU IROOIUS 
BY S. LEONARD BASTIN. 
WHEN studying the question of root-movement the great Darwin came to the conclusion that the 
underground organs of plants 
often behaved in a manner 
which it was not easy to ex- 
plain. Indeed, he actually 
went so far as to commit him- 
self to the opinion that the 
root-tips of some _ seedlings 
evidenced as much intelligence 
as was to be observed in the 
brains of the lower animals, 
The student of the living plant 
is continually coming across. 
instances in connection with 
the movements of roots which 
are really very difficult to ex- 
plain on the lines of mere 
cause and effect. 
Many of the old-fashioned 
mysteries in connection with 
root-behaviour have, of course, 
been entirely explained. One 
instance by way of illustration 
may be taken. It has often 
been observed that the roots 
of plants will travel a long 
distance towards a _ moist 
portion of the soil. There is 
really nothing very strange 
about this, seeing that, 
generally speaking, roots follow 
the line of least resistance. 
SCALLOPS. 
Side views of two species to show the difference in the upper and lower valves, For a long way round the 
and the natural position when at rest on the sea-bottom. moist part in the soil the 
ground will have been loosened by the filtering through of minute particles of water. To our eyes 
the condition of this soil might hardly appear to be damp, yet to the sensitive root-tip the ground 
is a suitable medium through which to grow. As opposed to this, the hard, resisting character of 
dry soil discourages the extension of the roots in that particular direction. 
A great many cases of root-movement are not so easily explained. In the present article a few 
of the most striking of these which have come under the notice of the writer have been collected. 
Whether we are right in using the word “‘ intelligence ’’ in connection with cases such as the follow- 
ing or not, it must be admitted that these instances are quite unexplainable by ordinary means. 
