Brain Power in Plants.

Evening Post, Volume LIV, Issue 141, 11 December 1897, Page 2 (Supplement)

Brain Power in Plants.

♦ There is a very interesting article on this subject by Mr. Arthur Smith in the Land Magazine for October He points out that those acquainted with the habits of plants know that they have the power of adapting themselves to oircumstanofls, and have many movements and traits that are the very reverse of automatic and instinctive. Numerous instances could be given in which not only are the signs of sensibility as fully developed in the plant as in the animal, but many phases of animal life are exactly imitated. In this connection Mr. Smith cites the Mimosa, ' sensitive not only of the most i delicate touch, but, like several other genera, of the approach of darkness or of even a shadow thrown upon it.' On repeated or rough touching, the leaf stalk sinks down and the whole leaf hangs as if withered. After a short time the leaf stalk rises, and the leaves expand again. ' This trait of leaves assuming a withered appearance is,' Mr. Smith goes on to say, ' very analogous to that whioh is found in many insects, and, in fact, in all parts of the animal kingdom, of feigning death at anyone's approach, or when slightly touched.' • Again, the sleep of plants, whioh is the same physiologically as animal sleep, goes to prove, Mr. Smith holds, the existence of a nervous system in the members of the vegetable kingdom. Then the carnivorous plants afford further evidence of the existence of nervous energy or brain power. Mr. Smith adds :" — ' When we see the irritability of the sensitive plant, ' transmitted from one part to another, exhausted by repeated artificial excitation, and renewed after a period of repose, it is difficult to dissociate it from miimulity. Still less can we witness certain organs taking determinate positions and directions, surmounting intervening obstacles, moving spontaneously; or study, the manner, in whioh they are affected by stimulants, narcotics, and poisons, and yet declare these phenomena to be caused by a different power from that whioh produces similar actions and effects in animals.' Were these facts well enough known in the scientific world, more generally recognised, what * new interest it would impart to the denizens of the gardens and the fields I

Tom Garrett, old Jack Robertson's henchman and once N.S.W. Minister for Lands, was an effective speaker. But he sometimes fell into inept illustration. ' I don't value the slander a hair of the Speaker's wig !' he once exclaimed with a fist-bang on the.table. < Ordah 1 Ordah !' cried Arnold the Speaker. 'I desiah to remind the honourable membah that the Speakah does not wear a wig, but bis own haiah. At the same time, the honourable membah must know that he refers to a symbol of authority and dignity in a very offensive and derogatory inannah !' Arnold was drowned in a flood of the Hunter. He was a fine fellow. — Bulletin. Mr. Henniker Heaton, on hfs way to Australia, has written to the Daily Chronicle with reference to the report that he would be the new Agent- General for New South Wales. ' I am not betraying confidence in stating that the Prime Minister of New South Wales did me the honour to tell me that he intends to appoint a well-known, highly-honoured, and experienced Australian statesman to the post of Agent-General.' The Chronicle thereupon jumps to the conclusion that Sir George Dibbs is likely to be appointed. Meantime it is announoed that Sir Daniel Cooper has taken over the rein* from Sk Saul Samuel.