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MYSTICISM IN THE PLANT WORLD<br />
What a lesson lies in such phenomena! The<br />
power that can keep alive and unchanged the<br />
cells <strong>of</strong> a vegetable seed so many centuries is not<br />
likely to allow the soul <strong>of</strong> a man to perish. What<br />
an argument for immortality! What a breeder<br />
<strong>of</strong> strange and mysterious thoughts!<br />
There is much mysticism in the plant world.<br />
What man does not understand, he either holds<br />
in awe or contempt. The <strong>plants</strong> are too <strong>of</strong>ten<br />
treated with good-humoured derision, but<br />
among higher minds, their unintelligible fac-<br />
tors give them a greater fascination—a mystery<br />
and a psychic interest which is very alluring.<br />
The <strong>plants</strong> seem to be closer in tune with Nature<br />
than man. They place themselves under<br />
her direct tutelage, and are extremely sensitive<br />
to her various moods and fancies. They re-<br />
spond to influences <strong>of</strong> weather and time with<br />
remarkable alacrity. The scarlet Pimpernel<br />
in particular, is an excellent barometer. At the<br />
least indication <strong>of</strong> rain, it folds its petals together<br />
in snug security, and, contrary to human<br />
beings, closes instead <strong>of</strong> opens the umbrella <strong>of</strong><br />
its body. On a rainy day, it never unfolds at<br />
all, so eager is it to keep its petals dry.<br />
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