Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1883-03-10
DO PLANTS THINK ?

In tracing the analogy between animals
and plants, some of the most striking char.
acteristics are manifested, and strange con.
illusions are unavoidable. The mere we
study plant life, the more we become con-
WINGED that life is a unit, varying in form
only, not In principle. Everything capable
of reproduction, growth or development is
governed by the same law. That law or
principle is life.
That plants think, or manifest any power
analogous to what is termed instinct III an
finals, and the human reason or understand.
ing, is not generally supposed /; in fact it Is
q subject but little understood. Seldom do
we see person with sufficient courage to
assert such a belief in opposition to the
prevalent, popular opinion TO the contrary.
The close observer of the habits of plants
daily witnesses many manifestations of in
telligence in their search for food; in look.
ing for support, if climbing plants in their
persistent eFlrts to have their own way in
the performance of duty, and more partic-
ulariy in the manner of selection of the
sexes-all of these showing plainly that if
plants do not think for themselves, some
one must think for them, which makes the
analogy between them and many men al
most perfect.
Plants have, to the full extent of their
necessities, power of observation, of dis
elimination in the selection of their food,
knowledge Of where it is to be obtained,
and the power, to a considerable extent, to
obtain it. For instance, bury the carcass
of an animal in the garden, say twenty feet
from the nearest grapevine, the vine will
know it, and the underground part of the
vine will at once change its direction, and
make a direct march for this new store
house of food, and upon reaching it will
throw ont an almost Incredible number of
roots for the consumption of the food. Let
US say here that il is mistake to suppose
that all the underground portions of tree
or vine ara roots they are simply branches.
The white delicate fbers put forth in
spring at the same time the leaves grow on
the branches in the atmosphere, are the
true roots they contribute to the support
and growth of the plant by the food which
they absorb from the soil, precisely as the
leaves on the branches do by that taken
from the atmosphere. These roots are so
small that they are rarely, if ever, noticed,
and are annually shed from the subterra-
mean branches, as the leaves are from the
seriel ones If any one wishes to witness
the persistency of the vine in its efforts to
obtain food, let them dig trench two feet
deep, midway between the vine and the
carcass when the vine reaches the trench,
finding its supply cut of, it takes in the
situation st glance, and takes a down
ward course until it reaches the bottom of
the trench, then it tunnels under, comes up
to near the surface on the opposite side,
and ini=hes its journey.
A friend of the writer, a number of
years since, planted a weeping willow in a
dry, gravelly bank on the side Of his house
a situation in every respect unsuited to
this tree, which delights IN heavy, moist
locality the result was q slow, stunted
growth, short branches, and an early fall
ing of its foliage In autumn. After few
years, in which it had barely lived, it
commenced most vigorous growth, and
in few months had made greater devel-
opment than in as many years previous.
This rapid growth was as astonishing as
pleasing, the cause of which was enveloped
in mystery, until the following season,
when he had on occasion to repair tee pump
in his well, on the opposite side of the
house, more than sixty feet distant There,
to his surprise, he found his well filed
with the roots from the willow, which had
thrown down its underground branches be-
low the cellar wall, then crept across IN
de. the cover of a concrete floor, then up.
wards on the north side of the house until
near the surface, then proceeding in d.
rect line to the well some thirty feet more
they again took downward course until
they reached the water that furnished the
moisture which was essential TO the rapid
development of the tree.
The movements of the squash vine when
pressed by hunger or thirst are truly won
derful. During severe drought place a
basin of water at night, say two feet from
strong vine, ard in the morning il will
be found bathing in the basin. Is not this
an indication of thought in the vine Does
it not indicate knowledge in the vine
analogous to the human understanding :?
There must be some agency employed to
bring the vine TO the fountain either the
plants own volition, or its direct guidance
BY the unerring haEd of Providence. Con-
slider it in either light, and the facts are no
less wonderful, and they cannot but awaken
within You all thsti noble and pure 10 your
nature. IL will also teach you the garden
is not altogether creature OF your hands,
however much you may be devoted to its
care and arrangement. You will not say,
like the proud Assyrian 60 By the strength
of nv hand have | done it, and by my wis.,
dom" 1t viii also teach you that He who
cares for you, cares no less for the flowers ];
that both are the objects OF the same tend
er, loving care; both are chapters in the
u1written book of life Ladies' Floral
Cabinet.
MORE universally recommended than any
= -. 80 ar,r., nd rail-