gave an illustration
of the "Praying Palm of Faridpur" and the changes it exhibited to
environment. All plants displayed similar power and these changes were
no longer inscrutable. They had been brought within the realm of
scrutability [_sic._] and could be recorded.

"PROTECTING" PLANTS

It was a mistake to suppose that when "protected" plants would thrive
better. Mothers had a tendency to keep their children away from contact
with the outside world with a view to "protect" them. He had placed a
plant under a glass case and the effect of it was he had a gloated and
effete specimen, flabby-looking in appearance and weary under adversity,
they recovered sooner and their growth was healthy just as it evolved
true manhood in men. It had been commonly believed that carbonic acid
gas was conducive to plant growth. That was a great mistake. In
sunshine, plants readily absorbed it; but it was no more true that
plants thrived on CO_2, than did human beings. He illustrated the effect
of carbonic acid gas as well as oxygen. The latter was as much necessary
for plants to thrive on as it was for them. Another illustration
exhibited the effect of alcohol on plants and he declared amidst
laughter that alcohol produced the same alternate maudlin depression and
exaltation on plants that is to be observed on the human system. He said
that this experiment had tickled the Americans a great deal and referred
to a conversation he had with Mr. Bryan, who was a teetotaller,
regarding alcohol given to plants. Some American papers had given
characteristic headlines to introduce his lecture on the effect of
stimulus to plants.

Another plant Desmodium which has accompanied him in his world tour was
filmed on the screen. He spoke, next, of the apparatus which he had
invented to record plant pulsation and the struggle they exhibited
between life and death. Poisons had as much effect on plants as on men,
and they could be revived by applying antidotes, this was illustrated by
another chart. Another point of interest dealt with by him was the
effect of warm water on plants, and he gave an exposition of his
discovery to show that plants died when placed in 60 degree (centigrade)
warm water. He referred to the stupendous phenomenon of invisible
writing by means of which the plant recorded its own evolution.

The lecture was listened to with profound interest and lasted for an
hour. Mr. Setalvad proposed a hearty vote of thanks to the Chancellor