New-York tribune., 1878-02-05

strangers. Whether consider life MS series
of combinations of physical forces, acting In ac-
cordance with their own inherent laws or an
inborn plastic power by which such combinations
are carried into effect stands in either case, for
certain facts. the ne to all. The processes
in tbc vegetable ! lgdom which are repro
duced in animals 90 not call for any new
reference in this relation: demand for their So
luton a conscious intellectual existence In the
movements of plants recognize an organic plas-
tic power expressed in the tendency toward single
end-the growth of the plant. But though not en-
dowed With the attribute of intelligence tHartmann
adduces il as prominent example OF " unconscious
intelligencer) President Bascom describes 1t as q
power Of wonderful energy" and "of great WIS
DOM explaining the organic phenomena of vege-
table life This power involves many peculiar adap-
tations apart from ITS general organizing functions
which approach the activities of the animal king
dom.
Another seature Of vegetable life referred to by
thc anthor. is the power of immediate discrmina-
ton If discrimination were the proper test OF con-
sc,ousness he remarks here would be consciousness
Hartmann and his school would argue that here
was intelligence, though no consciousness, since IL
is as impossible to conceive of discrimination WITH
out intelligence of an ocean without wafer, or
mountain without height. President Bascom goes
on To Illustrate the action OF this unlnteiIgeht
power by examples Of its wise discrimination Inc
radcle and the pumule Of the plant, he observes
part company in their striving for growth the one
working down into the soil and darkness, thc
other searching for air and light They are I'M
pclled by totally different tendencies from the
outset, but thcy at once adapt them
selves to the conditions for their accomplishment.
The problem Is solved in the most direct way Inc
seed gcrniuatcs on the dccaying stump. Inc roots
descend along the sides into the soil beneath, ana
find out the places of moisture and nutrIment. Inc
buds push upward or to the right or to the left in
search Of the strongest light In many other ways
this plastic power recognizes the conditions Of
growth. and render them a strict las Hartmann
would say, n willing obedience.
The author makes an excellent use of Darwln's
observations usectyorous plants IN illusrationot
the plastic power, which, though without conscious
ness or intelligence, operates with the wisest ana
most delicate discrimination. But the conditions OF
conscious f' are at lcugth furnished by the ner-
vous system, which, in its gradual development,
opens the "henisphcres OF thought" 10 the free
impulses 90 mind, that spiritual power that does It's
work without bctraying ITS presence that touches
the keys of action TIL every fibre Pulsates with
force yet remains itself the same invisible spiritual
President Bascon can be explained only on the prin
ciple of plastic organic power. Organic life starts
in the simplest forms. at first, indeed. without
FORM and without specific functions, a. III rroto-
pasn. Through the vegetable kingdom, 1t passes
into increasing compcXity both of function and
form. Organs are set apart Ia specific Offices, ana
are united IN one complex ACTIVITY. which ihlnih'tn
10 each separately and to all collectively. The
plant Is thus truly organized, combines many forces
IN wonderful energy. aud passes these complex
plastic powers as life from parent to offspring. The
organic life is the secret If Nature Anticipated in
the constructive forces which build tic snowflake
OF shape the crystal tree on the window pane, 1t
advances to the adjustment Of organs in Office form.
position, and intcractiOn TO each othc'. and to
the production and growth of the living whole.
These latter functions all strictly organic, IN
pying plastic power which exactly dscriminates
qualities and relations. carefully modiirs materials.
and turns il TO practical use in the accomplishment
Of common ends.
But ho wever clear the antnor's opinion that CON
scousnes essential to Intelligence. aud that The
plastic power of Nature does possess that attr-
butte because destitute of consciousness. he main
tains that sensation cap exercise its functions with
out the action of consciousness. Consciousness is
necessary to intelligence and thouCht, but not to
sensation hence sensation may take place without
Intelligence or thought. In the interesting section
devoted to the discussion of this subject President
Bascom remarks that consciousness probably does
not occupy the action of the special I'LL they
are comparatively complete In their development
and extended in their range. They are then ready
10 furnish the conditions Of experience ami
to bc aided i'll the government of the body b.,
the coordination of consciousness Until that pOni.
consciousness would be- an expenditure of energy to
no purpose. Many readers Will find II as difficult To
take in the idea Of sensation without intelligence,
a. OF intelligence without consciousness. But Pres
ident Bascom admits the important part oi the uu-
conscious clemen. III connection with the highest
intelligence and presents many curious and suggest
i've examples of is operation. IL Is the dark region.
ne says in winch the powers Of mind hide all their
roots In his unconscious response 20 external
conditions, the slcep-walker performs acts Of
which he would be incapable in lis waking
hour. The consummatc skill OF the art-
san consists in the passage from conscious,
partial, and laborous movements. 10 those
which are UNCONSCIOUS, complete. and spontaneous.
In the act of walking any Inequality II the ground
i, provided for by an automatic unconscious mod
ifcaton of the muscles through the eye. In reading
every letter affects the articulation, wLich
requires the perpetual adjustment Of the organs OF
speech though there is not the slightest conscious
moss of the process In the playing of an accom-
pshcd musician, the combination of the conscious
and the unconscious something wonderful even to
himself In the training for any course If organic
action, the conscious purpose works III very
obscure way. We send INTO the automatic
mechanism a blind, tentative impulse, and il
comes forth a harmonious and graceful
ton. We propose to do an act. aud do
it; bat we may have no knowledge Of the
means By which il is done : nor can we follow in
consciousness the fugitive stimuli that are flashing
through the system. II have within my own body"
SAVE President Bascom, "a vcrtabc power of cou-
iuratioD. The conscious utterance falls as a mystic