Page 6 Advertisements Column 1

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXVII, Issue 8386, 14 October 1890, Page 6

La Nature is responsible for the following : —"There has been discovered in the forests of India a strange plant,' which posseses to a very high degree astonishing magnetic power. The hand which breaks a leaf from it receives immediately a shock equal to that which is produced by the conductor of an induction coil. At a distance of (i metres yards) a magnetic needle is affected by it, and it will be quite deranged if brought near. The energy of this singular influence varies with the hour of the day. All powerful about 2 o'clock in the afternoon, it is absolutely annulled during the night. At the times of storms its intensity augments to striking proportions. During the rain the plant seems to succumb and bends its head during a thunder shower; it remains there without force or virtue, even if one should shelter it with an umbrella. No shock is felt all that time in breaking the leaves, and the needle is unaffected beside it. One never by chance sees a bird or an insect alight on the electric plant; an instinct seems to warn them that they would find their sudden death. It is also important to remark that •where it grows none of the magnetic metals are found; neither iron, nor cobalt, nor nickle, an undeniable proof that.the electric force belongs exclusively to the plant. Light and heat, phosphorescence, magnetism, electricity, how many mysteries and botanical problems does this wondrous Indian plant conceal with its leaf and , flower ?"