Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1842-09-09
POLAR PLANT-A VEGETABLE
COMPASS.

POLAR PLANT-A VEGETABLE
COMPASS.
The following interesting letter to F.
Markoc, Jr. corresponding Secretary of the
National Institution, at Washington, giving
an account of remark able plant found on
the Western Prairies, is copied from the
National Intellgencer:
WASHINGTON, August 9, 1912.
DEAR Sin: In offering through you 10
the National Institution a dry pressed speci-
men of the Polar Plant of the Western
Proiries, it is proper tina, should give IA
description of it, and Of its location. 1t is
species of fern, with one large fla, leaf,
whose plane ai,cays points to he no,th and
smith. The leaf is symmc,ricalIy disposed
about the stalk. 1t attains the fcight of
from ten to sixteen inches, and it is believed
that it never blossoms. 1t is spread pro-
iusely in large beds over all the Western
praires from the far Northwest to the far
Southwest. 1t has been seen in The praries
of Wisconsin and other regions east of the
Mississippi. 1t is never found in the forest,
or in other words, out Of the prairies. 1t
has been well known to the hunters and
trappers of the West, and TO the officers of
Dragons; but believe that its existence
has never Cat least extensively been made
known to the world. Its plane is always in
the plane Of the meridian, when not disturb
ed by high winds or other external causes.
The indications arc most accurate in the val
legs where the beds are sheltered from the
,,,,Ic onl x,br, fhn tr,u,llnr Co.
arranged in PARALLEL positions, faithfully
pointing out the direction of the meridian.
The leaf is symmetrical, and thus the re is
nothing in its indications to distinguish the
north from the south.
The specimen which send was plucked
from the prairics near Fort Gibson, west Of
Arkansas.
That ITS indications are actually the same
wherever found is the universal testimony of
all who have known Of it; and | have met
many who have not noticed it from south of
Fort Towson to a considerable distance north
of Fort Leavcnworl. In many instances
those who spoke of it derived their first IN
timation Of It's existence from that excellent
officer and capital woodsman, Captain Ma
than Boone, of LIST, regiment u. $. dra-
The cause Of the polarity Of this curious
plant vet remains to he discovered. Being
symmetrical IN shape, or rather the weigh,
being equally distributed about the stem, it
is possible that its sap of fibre is so thorough
" impregna,cd with certain salts of iron as
to be deviatcd, from the period Of its infant
growth by the action of the magnetism of
the earth, turning like compass needle on
its stem or root as pivot. That it is not
caused by the action Of light would seem
probable from analogy, as vegetables ac-
ted upon by light are noted for turning their
leaves or blossoms towards tie sun instead
of from it. At midday the plane of the
Polar Plant passes through the sun, and thus
it shuns the Ii gm. nave noticed i, in long
continued cloudy weather, and could find no
alteration in its position.
As the existence of the torpedo and cleo
trical eel exhibit the influence of electricity
on animal life, this plant is very interesting
as showing its probable connection also with
vegetable life thus furnishing link to sup
ply the chain of graduation. 1t is well known
that there are many distinguished naturaiss
and professors of physiology who would 60
higher still, even TO the human frame, and
predict the final discovery Of the intimate
connexion between electricity and the oper-
alton of the nervous system. Any thing con-
nected wiihihc action electricity or magnet
ism supposed 10 be one and the same AGENT
is especially Interesting, when there are SO
many ingenious minds throughout the world
devoted to such Investigations.
have asceriained TO my satisfaction that
this plant has been well known to irappers
and TO many of the Indian tribes, and that
they have been in the habit Of awaiting them.
selves I'm their tours over those vast tracts)
of this humble but omnipresent guide, which
kind Providence has sprinkled over that
region, and which is thus available IN cloudy
weather, when the sun and stars are denied
them. Even if j. is granted that it is less
needed by the red man, no one will deny
its uses to the whites in country destined
for longer period 10 be roamed by hunters,
traders, pioneers, and other white men.
Twill here add that Captain Boone also
states that there is spread all over the far
West a certain root, called the " snake
root" whose juices are very grateful 10
quench thirst, and which is found in the
greatest abundance in those parts Of the
pralres which are high or dry, and most
likely to be deprived Of water in season OF
heat and long drought.
|, is needless 10 descant upon these beau
iiful and striking examples of the wise pro-
visions of Nature, furnishing a rsget0Lie
compass and the means OF quenrhine thirst,
ever ready for the wanderer, and both loca-
ted in region destined perhaps for the long
est period in the history of the world TO be
occupied by rowing population.
l am, with high respect, your obedent
servant, BENZ. ALNORD.
Lieutenant United States army.