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Personality of plants

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PERSONALITY OF PLANTS<br />

this action is not always purely instinctive is<br />

indicated by the response <strong>of</strong> certain carniverous<br />

<strong>plants</strong> to light. Having learned that success in<br />

capturing their prey depends upon a static po-<br />

sition <strong>of</strong> their leaves, they make no effort to<br />

adjust their parts to strong or concentrated<br />

light. This is clearly a case <strong>of</strong> intelligent adjustment<br />

to environment.<br />

It is interesting to note that the plant cells<br />

which are sensitive to light <strong>of</strong>ten become tired<br />

or partially blinded just like the retina <strong>of</strong> an<br />

animal eye. Darwin found that <strong>plants</strong> kept in<br />

darkness were much more responsive to light<br />

than those which dwelt habitually in the sun-<br />

shine.<br />

Many <strong>plants</strong> are wonderful weather prophets<br />

and keepers <strong>of</strong> time. Their reactions to the<br />

coming <strong>of</strong> night, showers, heat, cold and other<br />

natural phenomena show much wisdom. That<br />

<strong>plants</strong> require the rest which accompanies<br />

sleep is indicated by the weakened and degen-<br />

erate condition <strong>of</strong> individuals which are some-<br />

times forced to exceptionally rapid development<br />

by continual exposure to electric light.<br />

A human faculty which few people associate<br />

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