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Title: Sir Jagadis Chunder Bose, His Life and Speeches

Author: Jagadis Chandra Bose

Release date: July 16, 2007 [eBook #22085]
Most recently updated: January 2, 2021

Language: English

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*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK SIR JAGADIS
CHUNDER BOSE, HIS LIFE AND SPEECHES ***

Transcriber's Notes:

1. Typos and spelling variants (including hyphenated
words) have been checked against the Oxford
English Dictionary (online edition, July 2007) and
corrected as needed. Archaic spellings have been
retained. In rare cases, where a word replacement
or correction was either uncertain or impossible,
the word was identified with [sic.]
2. Reference on 168 to the "The Presidency College
Magazine" must be to the second issue, as the
25th issue was in 1939 as the events mentioned on
p. 168 happened in 1915.
3. By-lines after various sections sometimes show as
"Patrika," and at other times as "A. B. Patrika." A.
B. Patrika is not a person, but is rather "Amrita
Bazar Patrika," an English language daily
newspaper in India. To reduce confusion I have
standardized the by-lines to "Amrita Bazar
Patrika."

SIR JAGADIS
CHUNDER BOSE
HIS LIFE AND SPEECHES

Price Rs. 2 GANESH & CO.

The Cambridge Press, Madras.

CONTENTS
Page
His Life and Career 1
Literature and Science 79
Marvels of Plant Life 102
Plant Autographs—How Plants can record their own story 106
Invisible Light 113
Lecture on Electric Radiation 117
Plant Response 122
Evidence before the Public Services Commission 126
Prof. J. C. Bose at Madura 143
Prof. J. C. Bose Entertained—Party at Ram Mohan Library 147
History of a Discovery 154
A Social Gathering 165
Light Visible and Invisible 169
Hindu University Address 172
The History of a Failure that was Great 177
Quest of Truth and Duty 187
The Voice of Life 200
The Praying Palm of Faridpur 222
Visualisation of Growth 226
Sir J. C. Bose at Bombay 231
Unity of Life 235
The Automatic Writing of the Plant 243
Control of Nervous Impulse 247
Marvels of Growth as Revealed by the "Magnetic Crescograph" 254
The Night-Watch of Nymphaea 262
Wounded Plants 267

SIR JAGADIS CHUNDER BOSE
On the 30th November, 1858, Jagadis Chunder was born, in a
respectable Hindu family, which hails from village Rarikhal, situated in the
Vikrampur Pargana of the Dacca District, in Bengal. He passed his boyhood
at Faridpur, where his father, the late Babu Bhugwan Chunder Bose, a
member of the then Subordinate Executive Service was the Sub-Divisional
Officer; and it was there that he derived "the power and strength that nerved
him to meet the shocks of life."1

HIS FATHER

His father was a fine product of the Western Education in our country.
Speaking of him, says Sir Jagadis "My father was one of the earliest to
receive the impetus characteristic of the modern epoch as derived from the
West. And in his case it came to pass that the stimulus evoked the latent
potentialities of his race for evolving modes of expression demanded by the
period of transition in which he was placed. They found expression in great
constructive work, in the restoration of quiet amidst disorder, in the earliest
effort to spread education both among men and women, in questions of
social welfare, in industrial efforts, in the establishment of people's bank
and in the foundation of industrial and technical schools."2 However, his
efforts—like most pioneer efforts—failed. He became overpowered in the
struggle. But his young son, who witnessed the struggle, derived a great
lesson which enabled him "to look on success or failure as one"—or rather
"failure as the antecedent power which lies dormant for the long subsequent
dynamic expression in what we call success." "And if my life" says Sir
Jagadis "in any way came to be fruitful, then that came through the
realisation of this lesson."2 So great was the influence exerted on him by his

father that Sir Jagadis Chunder has observed "To me his life had been one
of blessing and daily thanksgiving."2

HIS EARLY EDUCATION

Little Jagadis received his first lesson in a village pathsala. His father,
who had very advanced views in educational matters, instead of sending
him to an English School, which was then regarded as the only place for
efficient instruction, sent him to the vernacular village school for his early
education. "While my father's subordinates" says Sir Jagadis "sent their
children to the English schools intended for gentle folks, I was sent to the
vernacular school, where my comrades were hardy sons of toilers and of
others who, it is now fashion to regard, were belonging to the depressed
classes."3 Speaking of the effect it produced on him, observes Sir Jagadis
"From these who tilled the ground and made the land blossom with green
verdure and ripening corn, and the sons of the fisher folk, who told stories
of the strange creatures that frequented unknown depths of mighty rivers
and stagnant pools, I first derived the lesson of that which constitutes true
manhood. From them too I drew my love of nature."3

"I now realise" continues Sir Jagadis "the object of my being sent at the
most plastic period of my life to the vernacular school where I was to learn
my own thoughts and to receive the heritage of our national culture through
the medium of our own literature. I was thus to consider myself one with
the people and never to place myself in an equivocal position of assumed
superiority."3

"The moral education which we received in our childhood" adds Sir
Jagadis "was very indirect and came from listening to stories recited by the
"Kathaks" on various incidents connected with our great epics. Their effects
on our mind was Very great."4

And it is very interesting to learn from the lips of Sir Jagadis himself
"that the inventive bent of his mind received its first impetus" in the
industrial and technical schools established by his father.4

HIS COLLEGIATE EDUCATION IN INDIA

After he had developed, in the pathsala, some power of observation,
some power of reasoning and some power of expression through the healthy
medium of his own mother tongue, young Jagadis was sent to an English
School for education. He passed the Entrance Examination, in 1875, from
the St. Xavier's Collegiate School, Calcutta, in the First Division. He then
joined the College classes of that Institution, and there, in the "splendid
museum of Physical Science Instruments," he drew his early inspirations in
Physics from that remarkable educationist and brilliant experimentalist, the
Rev. Father E. Lefont, S.J., C.I.E., M.I.E.E., who had the rare gift of
enkindling the imagination of his pupils. He passed the First Examination in
Arts, in 1877, in the Second Division and the B.A. Examination by the B.
Course (Science Course), in 1880, in the Second Division. "It is the
paramount duty of the University" says Sir Ashutosh Mookerjea "to
discover and develop unusual talent."5 The Calcutta University, by the test
of examination which it applied, totally failed to discover (not to speak of
developing) the powers of an original mind which was destined to enrich
the world by giving away the fruits of its experience.

HIS STUDY ABROAD

After Jagadis had graduated himself, in the Calcutta University, he
longed to get a course of scientific education in England. He was sent to
Cambridge and joined the Christ's College. He came in "personal contact
with eminent men, whose influence extorted his admiration and created in
him a feeling of emulation. In the way he owed a great deal to Lord
Rayleigh, under whom he worked."6 He passed the B.A. Examination of the
Cambridge University, in Natural Science Tripos, in 1884. He also secured,
in 1883, the B.Sc. Degree with Honours of London University. Jagadis had,
by birth, the speculative Indian mind. And, by his scientific education, at
home and abroad, he developed a capacity for accurate experiment and
observation and learnt to control his Imagination—"that wonderous faculty
which, left to ramble uncontrolled leads us astray into a wilderness of
perplexities and errors, a land of mists and shadows; but which, properly

controlled by experience and reflection, becomes the noblest attribute of
man; the source of poetic genius, the instrument of discovery in Science."7
His strength and fertility as a discoverer is to be referred in a great measure
to the harmonious blending of the burning Imagination of the East with the
analytical methods of the West.

APPOINTED AS A PROFESSOR

After having completed his education abroad. Jagadis chose the
teaching of Science as his vocation. He was appointed as Professor of
Physical Science at the Presidency College, Calcutta. He joined the service
on the 7th January, 1885. Although he was appointed in Class IV of the then
Bengal Educational Service, (which afterwards merged in the present Indian
Educational Service), he was not admitted to the full scale of pay of the
Service. He, being an Indian, was allowed to draw only two-thirds the pay
of his grade. This humiliating distinction was, however, removed in his
case, on the 21st September 1903, when the bureaucracy could not any
longer ignore the pressure of enlightened opinion that was brought to bear
on it.

HIS RESEARCHES ON ELECTRIC WAVES

It was in 1887, some times after Professor J. C. Bose had joined the
Presidency College, Hertz demonstrated, by direct experiment, the
existence of Electric Waves—the properties of which had been predicted by
Clerk Maxwell long before. This great discovery sent a reverberation
through the gallery of the scientific world. And, at once, the scientists in all
countries began to devote their best energies to explorations in this new
Realm of Nature. Young J. C. Bose—who had drunk deep at the springs of
Scientific Knowledge and whose imagination had been very deeply touched
by the scientific activities of the West and who had in him the burning
desire that India should 'enter the world movement for that advancement of
knowledge'—also followed suit.

DIFFICULTIES OF RESEARCHES

When, however, Prof. J. C. Bose joined the Presidency College, there
was no laboratory worth the name there, nor had he any of 'those
mechanical facilities at his disposal which every prominent European and
American experimental scientist commands'. He had to work under
discouraging difficulties before he could begin his investigations. He was,
however, not a man to quarrel with circumstances. He bravely accepted
them and began to work in his own private laboratory and with appliances
which, in any other country, would be deemed inadequate. He applied
himself closely to the investigation of the invisible etheric waves and, with
the simple means at his command, accomplished things, which few were
able to perform in spite of their great wealth of external appliances.

As the wave-length of a Hertzian (electric) ray was very large—about 3
metres8 long—compared with that of visible light, considerable difficulties
were experienced in carrying on experiments with the same. It was thought,
for instance, that very large crystals, much larger than what occur in nature,
would be required to show the polarisation of electric ray. Prof. Bose who
'combined in him the inventiveness of a resourceful engineer, with the
penetration and imagination of a great scientist'—designed an instrument
which generated very short electric waves with a length of about 6
millimetres or so. And, by working with Electric radiations having very
short wave-lengths, he succeeded in demonstrating that the electric waves
are polarised by the crystal Nemalite (which he himself discovered) in the
very same way as a beam of light is polarised by the crystal Tourmaline. He
then showed that a large number of substances, which are opaque to Light
(e.g. pitch, coal-tar etc.) are transparent to Electric Waves. He next
determined the Index of Refraction of various substances for invisible
Electric Radiation and thereby eliminated a great difficulty which had
presented itself in Maxwell's theory as to the relation between the index of
refraction of light and the di-electric constant of insulators. He then
determined the wave length of Electric Radiation as produced by various
oscillators.

HIS EARLY CONTRIBUTIONS AND THEIR APPRECIATIONS

His first contribution was 'On Polarisation of Electric Rays by Double
Refracting Crystals.' It was read at a meeting of the Asiatic Society of
Bengal, held on the 1st May 1895, and was published in the Journal of the
Society in Vol. LXIV, Part II, page 291. His next contributions were 'On a
new Electro polariscope' and 'On the Double Refraction of the Electric Ray
by a Strained Di-electric.' They appeared, in the Electrician, the leading
journal on Electricity, published in London. These 'strikingly original
researches' won the attention of the scientific world. Lord Kelvin, the
greatest physicist of the age, declared himself 'literally filled with wonder
and admiration for so much success in the novel and difficult problem
which he had attacked.' Lord Rayleigh communicated the results of his
remarkable researches to the Royal Society. And the Royal Society showed
its appreciation of the high scientific value of his investigation, not only, by
the publication, with high tributes, of a paper of his 'On the Determination
of the Indices of Electric Refraction,' in December 1896, and another paper
on the 'Determination of the Wave-length of Electric Radiation,' in June
1896, but also, by the offer, of their own accord, of an appropriation from
the Special Parliamentary Grant made to the Society for the Advancement
of Knowledge, for continuation of his work.

In recognition of the importance of the contribution made by Prof. Bose,
the University of London conferred on him the Degree of Doctor of Science
and the Cambridge University, the degree of M.A., in 1896. And, to crown
all, the Royal Institution of Great Britain—rendered famous by the labour
of Davy and Faraday, of Rayleigh and Dewar—honoured him by inviting to
deliver a 'Friday Evening Discourse' on his original work. It would not be
out of place to observe that the rare privilege of being invited to deliver a
'Friday Evening Discourse' is regarded as one of the highest distinction that
can be conferred on a scientific man.

HIS FIRST SCIENTIFIC DEPUTATION. (1896-97)

The Government of India showed its appreciation of his work by
deputing him to Europe to place the results of his investigations before the
learned Scientific Bodies. He remained on his Deputation from the 22nd
July 1896 to the 19th April 1897. He read a paper 'On a complete Apparatus
for studying the Properties of Electric Waves' at the meeting of British
Association, held at Liverpool, in 1896. He then communicated a paper 'On
the Selective Conductivity exhibited by Polarising Substances,' which was
published by the Royal Society, in January 1897. He next delivered his
'Friday Evening Discourse,' at the Royal Institution, 'On Electric Waves,' on
the 29th January 1897. "There is, however, to our thinking" wrote the
Spectator at the time "something of rare interest in the spectacle presented
of a Bengalee of the purest descent possible, lecturing in London to an
audience of appreciative European savants upon one of the most recondite
branches of the modern physical science." He was then invited to address
the Scientific Societies in Paris. "Prof. J. C. Bose" wrote the Review
Encyclopedique, Paris "exhibited on the 9th of March before the Sorbonne,
an apparatus of his invention for demonstrating the laws of reflection,
refraction, and polarisation of electric waves. He repeated his experiments
on the 22nd, before a large number of members of the Academie des
Sciences, among whom were Poincare, Cornu, Mascart, Lipmann, Cailletet,
Becquerel and others. These savants highly applauded the investigations of
the Indian Professor." M. Cornu, President of the Academy of Science, was
pleased to address Professor Bose as follows:—

"By your discoveries you have greatly furthered the cause of Science.
You must try to revive the grand traditions of your race which bore aloft the
torch light of art and science and was the leader of civilization two thousand
years ago. We, in France applaud you." This fervent appeal, we shall see, as
we proceed, did not go in vain.

He was next invited to lecture before the Universities in Germany. At
Berlin, before the leading physicists of Germany, he gave an address on
Electric Radiation, which was subsequently published in the Physikaliscen
Gesellschaft Berlin, in April 1897.

FURTHER RESEARCHES ON ELECTRIC WAVES

Having received the most generous and wide appreciation of his work,
Dr. J. C. Bose continued, with redoubled vigour, his valuable researches on
Electric Waves. He studied the influence of thickness of air-space on total
reflection of Electric Radiation and showed that the critical thickness of air-
space is determined by the refracting power of the prism and by the wave-
length of the electric oscillations. He next demonstrated the rotation of the
plane of polarisation of Electric Waves by means of pieces of twisted jute
rope. He showed that, if the pieces are arranged so that their twists are all in
one direction and placed in the path of radiation, they rotate the plane of
polarisation in a direction depending upon the direction of twists; but, if
they are mixed so that there are as many twisted in one direction as the
other, there is no rotation.9 He communicated to the Royal Society the
results of his new researches. And the Royal Society published, in
November 1897, his papers 'On the Determination of the Index of
Refraction of glass for the Electric Ray' and 'On the influence of Thickness
of Air-space on Total Reflection of Electric Radiation' and, in March 1898,
his further contributions 'On the Rotation of Plane of Polarisation of
Electric Waves by a twisted structure' and 'On the Production of a "Dark
cross" in the Field of Electro-magnetic Radiation.'

SELF-RECOVERING "COHERER"

The study of Electric Waves by Dr. J. C. Bose led not only to the
devising of methods for the production of the shortest Electric Waves
known but also to the construction of a very delicate 'Receiver' for the
detection of invisible other disturbances. The most sensitive form of
detector hitherto known was the "Coherer." One of the forms made by Sir
Oliver Lodge consisted simply of a glass tube containing iron turnings, in
contact with which were wire led into opposite ends of the tube. The
arrangement was placed in series with a galvanometer and a battery; when
the turnings were struck by electric waves, the resistance between loose
metallic contacts was diminished and the deflection of the galvanometer
was increased. Thus the deflection of the galvanometer was made to

indicate the arrival of electric waves. The arrangement was, no doubt, a
sensitive one, but, to get a greater delicacy, Dr. Bose used, instead of iron
turnings, spiral springs which were pushed against each other by means of a
screw.10 Still the arrangement laboured under one great disadvantage. The
'receiver' had to be tapped between each experiment. So something better
than a 'cohering' receiving was needed—something that was self-
recovering, like a human eye. To discover that something, Dr. Bose began a
study of the whole theory of 'coherer action.' It was hitherto believed that
the electric waves, by impinging on iron and other metallic particles in
contact, brought about a sort of fusion—a sort of 'coherence'—and that the
diminution of resistance was the result of that 'coherence.' To satisfy
himself as to the correctness of this theory, Dr. Bose engaged himself in a
most laborious investigation to find out the action of electric radiation not
only on iron particles but on all kinds of matter and ultimately discovered
the surprising fact that, though the impact of electric waves generally
produced a diminution of resistance, with potassium there was an increase
of resistance after the waves had ceased.11 This discovery at once showed
the untenability of the old theory and pointed to the conclusion that the
effect of electric radiation on matter is one of discriminative molecular
action—that the Electric Waves produced a re-arrangement of the molecules
which may either increase or decrease the contact resistance. It may be
incidentally mentioned here that this detection of molecular change in
matter under electric stimulation has given rise to a new theory of
photographic action.

As a result of his painstaking investigation on the action of Electric
Waves on different kinds of matter, Dr. Bose invented a new type of self-
recovering electric receiver, "so perfect in its action that the Electrician
suggested its use in ships and in electro-magnetic light-houses for the
communication and transmission of danger-signals at sea through space.
This was, in 1895, several years in advance of the present wireless system."
Practical application of the results of Dr. Bose's investigations appeared so
important that the Governments of Great Britain and the United States of
America granted him patents for his invention of a certain crystal receiver
which proved to be the most sensitive detector of the wireless signal. Dr.
Bose, however, has made no secret at any time as to the construction of his

apparatus. He has never utilised the patents granted to him for personal
gain. His inventions are "open to all the world to adopt for practical and
money-making purposes." "The spirit of our national culture" observes Sir
J. C. Bose "demands that we should for ever be free from the desecration of
utilising knowledge for personal gain."12

HIS RESEARCHES TAKE A NEW TURN

This inquiry which Dr. J. C. Bose started for the purpose of ascertaining
'coherer action'—why the "receiver" had to be tapped in order to respond
again to electric waves—took him unconsciously to the border region of
physics and physiology and gave an altogether new turn to his researches.
"He found that the uncertainty of the early type of his receiver was brought
on by 'fatigue' and that the curve of fatigue of his instrument closely
resembled the fatigue curve of animal muscle."13 He did not stop there but
pushed on his investigations and found "that the 'tiredness' of his instrument
was removed by suitable stimulants and that application of certain poisons,
on the other hand, permanently abolished its sensitiveness." He was amazed
at this discovery—this parallelism in the behaviour of the 'receiver' to the
living muscle. This led him to a systematic study of all matter, Organic and
Inorganic, Living and Non-Living.

RESPONSE IN LIVING AND NON-LIVING

He began an examination of inorganic matter in the same way as a
biologist examines a muscle or a nerve. He subjected metals to various
kinds of stimulus—mechanical, thermal, chemical, and electrical. He found
that all sorts of stimulus produce an excitatory change in them. And this
excitation sometimes expresses itself in a visible change of form and
sometimes not; but the disturbance produced by the stimulus always
exhibits itself in an electric response. He next subjected plants and animal
tissues to various kinds of stimulus and also found that they also give an
electric response. Finding that a universal reaction brought together metals,
plants and animals under a common law, he next proceeded to a study of

modifications in response, which occur under various conditions. He found
that they are all benumbed by cold, intoxicated by alcohol, wearied by
excessive work, stupified by anaesthetics, excited by electric currents, stung
by physical blows and killed by poison—they all exhibit essentially the
same phenomena of fatigue and depression, together with possibilities of
recovery and of exaltation, yet also that of permanent irresponsiveness
which is associated with death—they all are responsive or irresponsive
under the same conditions and in the same manner. The investigations
showed that, in the entire range of response phenomena (inclusive as that is
of metals, plants and animals) there is no breach of continuity; that "the
living response in all its diverse modifications is only a repetition of
responses seen in the inorganic" and that the phenomena of response "are
determined, not by the play of an unknowable and arbitrary vital force, but
by the working of laws that know no change, acting equally and uniformly
throughout the organic and inorganic matter."14

SECOND SCIENTIFIC DEPUTATION, 1900-01

In the year 1900, the International Scientific Congress was held, in
Paris. And Dr. J. C. Bose was deputed by the Government of India to the
Congress as a delegate from this country. Before the assembled scientists,
Dr. Bose delivered a remarkable address on the results of his researches on
the similarity of Response of Inorganic and Living Substances to Electric
stimulus ... 'De la gênêralitê de Phênomênes Moleculairs produits par
l'Ectricité sur la matiriê Inorganique et sur la matiêre Vivante.' He next read
a paper 'On the Similarity of effect of Electric Stimulus on Inorganic and
Living Substances' before the Bradford meeting of the British Association
in 1900. He then contributed a very interesting paper 'on Binocular
Alteration of Vision,' which was published by the Physiological Society of
London, in November 1900. It may be mentioned here, by the way, that, in
course of his investigations on the Response of the Living and Non-Living
substances, Dr. Bose constructed an "artificial retina" to study the
characteristics of the excitatory change produced by a stimulus on the retina
and these characteristics gave him a clue to the unexpected discovery of the
"binocular alteration of vision" in man—"each eye supplements its fellow

by turns, instead of acting as a continuously yoked pair, as hitherto
believed."15 He next communicated to the Royal Society his researches 'On
the Continuity of Effect of Light and Electric Radiation on Matter,' and 'On
the Similarities between Mechanical and Radiation Strains,' and 'On the
Strain Theory of Photographic action,' which were published in April 1901.
Then, on the 10th May 1901, he delivered his remarkable 'Friday Evening
Discourse,' at the Royal Institution, on the 'Response of Inorganic Matter to
Stimulus.'

OPPOSITION OF THE PHYSIOLOGISTS

Then, on the 5th June 1901, he gave an experimental demonstration,
before the Royal Society, on the subject of his researches 'On Electric
Response of Inorganic Substances' which had already been communicated
to that Society, on the 7th May 1901. He was strongly assailed by Sir John
Burden Sanderson, the leading physiologist, and some of his followers.
They objected to a physicist straying into the preserve especially reserved
for them. They dogmatically asserted as physiologists that the excitatory
response of ordinary plants to mechanical stimulus was an impossibility.
But they failed to urge anything against the experiment of the physicist. In
consequence of this opposition, Dr. Bose's paper, which was already in
print, was not published but was placed in the archives of the Royal Society.
"And it happened that eight months after the reading of his Paper, another
communication found publication in the Journal of a different Society
which was practically the same as Dr. Bose's but without any
acknowledgment. The author of this communication was a gentleman who
had previously opposed him at the Royal Society. The plagiarism was
subsequently discovered and led to much unpleasantness. It is not necessary
to refer any more to this subject except as an explanation of the fact that the
determined hostility and misrepresentation of one man succeeded for more
than 10 years to bar all avenues of publications for his discoveries."16

The opposition of the physiologists, however, did one good. It spurred
Dr. Bose on and made him stronger in his determination not to encompass
himself, within the narrow groove of physical investigation. He took

furlough for one year, in extension of the period of his Deputation, and
applied himself vigorously to the investigations, which he had already
commenced in India and received facilities from the Managers of the Royal
Institution to work in the Davy-Faraday Laboratory. He next read, at the
Glasgow meeting of the British Association, in 1901, a paper 'On the
Conductivity of Metallic particles under Cyclic Electro-magnetic Variation.'
Then, in March 1902, "Prof. Bose" says the Nature "performed a series of
experiments before the Linnean Society showing electric response for
certain portions of the plant organism, which proved that as concerning
fatigue, behaviour at high and low temperatures, the effects produced by
poisons and anaesthetics, the responses are identical with those held to be
characteristic of muscle and nerve." The Linnean Society published, in its
Journal, in March 1902, his paper 'On Electric Response of Ordinary Plants
under Mechanical Stimulus.' He then communicated to the Société de
Physique, Paris, his paper 'Sur la Résponse Electrique dans les Métaux, les
Tissu Animaux et Végétaux.' The Royal Society published, in April 1902,
his contribution 'On the Electromotive Wave accompanying Mechanical
Disturbance in Metals in contact with Electrolyte.' He was next asked by the
Royal Photographic Society to give a discourse 'On the Strain Theory
Vision and of Photographic Action,' which was published by the Society, in
its Journal, in June 1902. He then wrote a paper 'On the Electric Response
in Animal, Vegetable and Metal,' which was read before the Belfast meeting
of the British Association, in 1902. The President of the Botanical Section
at Belfast, in his address, observed "Some very striking results were
published by Bose on Electric Response in ordinary plants. Bose's
investigations established a very close similarity in behaviour between the
vegetable and the animal. Summation effects were observed and fatigue
effect demonstrated, while it was definitely shown that the responses were
physiological. They ceased as soon as the piece of tissue was killed by
heating. These observations strengthen considerably the view of the
identical nature of the animal and vegetable protoplasm."

Dr. Bose then brought out a systematic treatise embodying the results of
his researches under the significant title of 'Response in the Living and
Non-living.' He returned to India, in October, 1902.

GOVERNMENT RECOGNITION

After he had come back, from the Second Scientific Deputation, the
Government of India conferred on him the distinction of Companion of the
Order of the Indian Empire, in 1903, in recognition of his valuable
researches.

PLANT LIFE AND ANIMAL LIFE

Next Dr. Bose, in natural sequence to the investigation of the response
in 'inorganic' matter commenced 'a prolonged study of the activities of plant
life as compared with corresponding functioning of animal life.'

ALL PLANTS ARE "SENSITIVE"

It was believed that so-called 'sensitive' plants alone exhibited excitation
by electric response. But Dr. Bose, believing in continuity of responsive
phenomena, used the same experimental devices, with which he had already
succeeded in obtaining the electric response of inorganic substances, to test
whether ordinary plants also—meaning those usually regarded as
'insensitive'—would or would not exhibit excitatory electrical response to
stimulus. With the help of very delicate instruments, Dr. Bose demonstrated
the very startling fact that not only every plant, but every organ of every
plant gave true excitatory electric response—and that response was not
confined alone to 'sensitive' plants like Mimosa.

Dr. Bose then proceeded to investigate whether the responsive effects
which he had shown to occur in ordinary plants might not be further
exhibited by means of visible mechanical response, thus fully removing the
distinction commonly assumed to exist between the 'sensitive' and supposed
'non-sensitive.' Dr. Bose invented 'special apparatus of extreme delicacy,'
which detected infinitesimal tremors, and showed that ordinary plants,
usually regarded as insensitive, gave motile responses, which had hitherto
passed unnoticed. His later investigation shows that "all plants, even the

trees, are fully alive to changes of environment; they respond visibly to all
stimuli, even to the slight fluctuations of light by a drifting cloud."17

'TROPIC' MOVEMENTS

Finding that the plants give, not only electric but motile response as
well, to stimulus, Dr. Bose proceeded to study the nature of responses
evoked in plants by the stimuli of the natural forces. He found that plants
respond visibly, by movements, to environmental stimuli. But the
movements induced—'tropic' movements—are extremely diverse. Light, for
example, induces sometimes positive curvature, sometimes negative.
Gravitation, again, induces one movement in the root, and the opposition in
the shoot. Dr. Bose applied himself to find out whether the movements in
response to external stimuli, though apparently so diverse, could not be
ultimately reduced to a fundamental unity of reaction. As a result of a very
deep and penetrating study of the effects of various environmental stimuli,
on different plant organs, he showed that the cells on two sides are
unequally influenced, on account of different external conditions, and
contract unequally, and hence the various movements are produced—that
the many anomalous effects, hitherto ascribed to 'specific sensibilities,' are
due to the 'differential sensibilities'—differential excitability of anisotropic
structures and to the opposite effects of external and internal stimuli—that
all varieties of plant movements are capable of a consistent mechanical
explanation. Dr. Bose's "latest investigations recently communicated to the
Royal Society have established the single fundamental reaction which
underlies all these effects so extremely diverse."18

EXTENDED APPLICATION OF MECHANICAL THEORY

With an extended application of his mechanical theory, Dr. Bose has
gradually removed the veil of obscurity from many a phenomenon in plant
life. The 'autonomous' movements of plants, for example, which remained
enveloped in mystery, received a satisfactory solution at his hands.

'AUTONOMOUS' MOVEMENTS

It was believed that automatically pulsating tissues draw their energy
from a mysterious "vital force" working within. By controlling external
forces, Dr. Bose stopped the pulsation and re-started it and thus
demonstrated that the 'automatic action' was not due to any internal vital
force. He pointed out that the external stimulus—instead of causing, as was
customary to suppose, an explosive chemical change and an inevitable run-
down of energy—brings about an accumulation of energy by the plant. And
with the accumulation of absorbed energy, a point is reached when there is
an overflow—the excess of energy bubbles over, as it were, and shows
itself in 'spontaneous' movements. The stimulus being strong a single
response—a single twitching of the leaflets—is not enough to express the
whole of the leaf's responsive energy and it yields a multiple response—it
reverberates—it manifests itself in 'automatic' pulsations. When, however,
the accumulated energy is exhausted, then there is also an end of
'spontaneous movements.' There are strictly speaking, no 'spontaneous'
movements; those known by that name are really due either to the
immediate effects of external stimulus or to the stimulus previously
absorbed and held latent in the plant to find subsequent expression—due to
the direct or indirect action of external forces which are transformed in the
machinery of the plants in obedience to the principle of the Conservation of
Energy.

"ASCENT OF SAP" "AND GROWTH"

Dr. Bose then showed that, not gross mechanical movements alone, but
also other invisible movements are initiated by the action of stimulus, and
that the various activities, such as the "ascent of sap" and "growth" are in
reality different reactions to the stimulating action of energy supplied by the
environment. In this way, Dr. Bose showed that several obscure
phenomena, in the life-processes of the plant, can be very satisfactorily
explained by the Mechanical Theory.

It would not be out of place to mention that Dr. Bose, to carry on his
researches on the Ascent of Sap, invented a new type of instrument
(Shoshungraph). And for an accurate investigation on the phenomenon of
growth of plants he devised an instrument (Growth Recorder) for
instantaneous measurement of the rate of growth and another instrument
(Balanced Crescograph) for determining the influences of various agencies
on growth. So very marvellous these instruments that the growth, which
takes place, during a few beats of pendulum, is measured, and, in less than a
quarter of an hour, the action of fertilizers, foods, electrical currents and
various stimulants are determined. "What is the tale of Aladdin and his
wonderful lamp" exclaims the Editor of the Scientific American "compared
with the true story told by the crescograph?... Instead of waiting a whole
season, perhaps years, to discover whether or not it is wise to mix this or
that fertilizer with the soil one can now find in a few minutes!" Yet these are
the instruments which are better known in Washington than in Calcutta! The
question of their application to practical agriculture has excited more
interest in the United States of America than in this unfortunate land, which
is an essentially agricultural country!

FUNDAMENTAL IDENTITY OF REACTIONS

Dr. Bose showed that there is no physiological response given by the
most highly organised animal tissue that is not also to be met with in the
plant. He carried on "Researches on Diurnal Sleep" and showed that the
plant is not equally sensitive to an external stimulus during day and night,
and that there is a fundamental identity of life-reaction in plant and animal,
as seen in a similar periodic insensibility in both, corresponding to what we
call sleep. He also showed that the passage of life in the plant, as in the
animal, is marked by an unmistakable spasm. He invented, an instrument
(Morograph) with which he recorded the critical point of death of a plant
with great exactness. He demonstrated, in the most conclusive manner, that
there is an essential unity of physiological effects of drugs on plant and
animal tissues and showed the modifications which are introduced into
these effects by the factor of individual 'constitution.' It may be mentioned
casually that "this physiological identity in the effect of drugs is regarded

by leading physicians as of great significance in the scientific advance of
Medicine; since we have a means of testing the effect of drugs under
conditions far simpler than those presented by the patient, far subtler too, as
well as more humane than those of experiments on animals."19 Dr. Bose
further demonstrated that there is conduction of the excitatory impulse in
the plant, like the nervous impulse in the animal; and showed the possibility
of detecting the wave in transit and measured the speed with which the
excitation coursed through the plant and also showed that the velocity of
excitation is modified, by different agencies, even in the case of ordinary
plants. He also showed that the polar effects induced by electric currents,
both in plants and animals, are identical.

These remarkable researches on Plant Response have 'revolutionised in
some respects and very much extended in others our knowledge of the
response of plants to stimulus.'

FURTHER DIFFICULTIES

Dr. Bose communicated his paper 'On the Electric Pulsation
accompanying Automatic Movements in Desmodium Gyrans' to the
Linnaean Society, which was published, in December 1902. Then, in 1903,
he communicated to the Royal Society his researches on 'Investigation on
Mechanical Response in Plants,' 'On Polar effects of Currents on the
Stimulation of Plants,' 'On the Velocity of Transmission of Excitatory waves
in Plants,' 'On the excitability and conductivity of Plant Tissues,' 'On the
Propagation of the Electromotive Wave concomitant of Excitatory Waves in
Plants,' 'On Multiple Response in Plants,' 'On an enquiry into the cause of
Automatic Movements.'

"These new contributions" made by Dr. Bose on Plant Response "were
regarded as of such great importance that the Royal Society showed its
special appreciation by recommending them to be published in their
Philosophical Transactions. But the same influence, which had hitherto
stood in his way, triumphed once more, and it was at the very last moment
that the publication was withheld. The Royal Society, however, informed

him that his results were of fundamental importance, but as they were so
wholly unexpected and so opposed to the existing theories, that they would
reserve their judgment until, at some future time, plants themselves could
be made to record their answers to questions put to them. This was
interpreted in certain quarters here as the final rejection of Dr. Bose's
theories by the Royal Society and the limited facilities which he had in the
prosecution of his researches were in danger of being withdrawn."20

HE BUILT HIS LIFE ON THE ROCK OF FAITH

But these difficulties—sufficient to crush many a spirit—could hardly
quench the ardour of his burning soul, which was 'hungering and thirsting'
for the establishment of a truth in which he had a firm Faith. Though the
surges would beat against him, he would not give way. With the true spirit
of a Sadhak, he devoted himself to the realisation of the great dream of his
life. And, for the next ten years, the one tap, jap and aradhana of his life—
the one all-engrossing idea of his mind—was how to make the plant give
testimony by means of its own autograph.

PUBLICATION OF "PLANT RESPONSE"

Though his researches did not find an outlet, in the Proceedings of the
Royal Society, he did not lose heart. He brought out, in April 1906, a
systematic treatise—"The Plant Response as a Means of Physiological
Investigation"—in which he incorporated the results of his investigations on
plant life.

ADOPTS A NEW METHOD OF INVESTIGATION

Hitherto Dr. Bose detected the various excitatory effects of plants by
means of mechanical response. Being now confronted with opposition, he
turned his attention to the finding of corroboration of the various results,
which he had already obtained, by some other method of investigation. And
for this he employed the method of electric response. He found that the

results obtained by this new method of inquiry corroborated those already
obtained by him by the old method. Emboldened by this corroboration, he
next proceeded to extend this new method of inquiry by means of electric
response into the field of Animal Physiology with a view to explain
responsive phenomena in general on the consideration of that fundamental
molecular reaction which occurs even in inorganic matter.'21

RESULT OF THE INVESTIGATION

Dr. Bose found, in the plant as well as in the animal, "a similar series of
excitatory effects, whether these be exhibited mechanically or electrically.
Both alike are responsive, and similarly responsive, to all the diverse forms
of stimulus that impinge upon them. We ascend, in the one case as in the
other, from the simplicities of the isotropic to the complexities of the
anisotropic; and the laws of these isotropic and anisotropic responses are
the same in both. The responsive peculiarities of epidermis, epithelium, and
gland; the response of the digestive organ, with its phasic alterations; and
the excitatory electrical discharge of an anisotropic plate, are the same in
the plant as in the animal. The plant, like the animal, is a single organic
whole, all its different parts being connected, and their activities co-
ordinated, by the agency of those conducting strands which are known as
nerves. As in the plant nerve, moreover, so also in the animal, stimulation
gives rise to two distinct impulses, exhibiting themselves by two-fold
mechanical and electrical indications of opposite signs.... The dual qualities
or tones known to us in sensation, further, are correspondent with those two
different nervous impulses, of opposite signs, which are occasioned by
stimulation. These two sensory responses—positive and negative, pleasure
and pain—are found to be subject to the same modifications, under parallel
conditions, as the positive and negative mechanical and electrical
indications with which they are associated. And finally, perhaps, the most
significant example for the effect of induced anisotropy lies in that
differential impression made by stimulus on the sensory surfaces, which
remains latent, and capable of revival, as the memory-image. In this
demonstration of continuity, then, it has been found that the dividing

frontiers between Physics, Physiology, and Psychology have
disappeared."22

CLASH WITH CURRENT VIEWS

The results, which Dr. Bose obtained from actual experiments, clashed,
however, with the theories in vogue. The reactions of different issues were
hitherto regarded as special differences. As against this, a continuity is
shown to exist between them. Thus, nerve was universally regarded as
typically non-motile; its responses were believed to be characteristically
different from those of muscle. Dr. Bose, however, has shown that nerve is
indisputably motile and that the characteristic variations in the response of
nerve are, generally speaking, similar to those of the muscle.

It was customary to regard plants as devoid of the power to conduct true
excitation. Dr. Bose had already shown that this view was incorrect. He
now showed, by experiment, that the response of the isolated vegetal nerve
is indistinguishable from that of animal nerve, throughout a large series of
parallel variations of condition. So complete, indeed, is the similarity
between the responses of plant and animal, found, of which this is one
instance, that the discovery of a given responsive characteristic in one case
proves a sure guide to its observation in the other, and the explanation of
phenomenon, under the simpler conditions of the plant, is found fully
sufficient for its elucidation under the more complex circumstances of the
animal. Dr. Bose found 'differential excitability' is widely present as a factor
in determining the character of special responses and showed that many
anomalous conclusions, with regard to the response of certain animal
tissues, had arisen from the failure to take account of the 'differential
excitability' of anisotropic organs. Hitherto Pfluger's Law of the polar
effects of currents was supposed to rest on secure foundations. But Dr. Bose
showed that Pfluger's Law was not of such universal application as was
supposed. He demonstrated that, above and below a certain range of
electromotive intensity, the polar effects of currents are precisely opposite
to those enunciated by Pfluger.

SENSATION

It was supposed that nervous impulse, which, must necessarily form the
basis of sensation, was beyond any conceivable power of visual scrutiny.
But Dr. Bose showed that this impulse is actually attended by change of
form, and is, therefore capable of direct observation. He also showed that
the disturbance, instead of being single, is of two different kinds—viz., one
of expansion (positive) and the other of contraction (negative)—and that,
when the stimulus is feeble, the positive is transmitted, and, when the
stimulus is stronger, both positive and negative are transmitted, but the
negative, however, being more intense, masks the positive. He identified the
wave of expansion travelling along the nerve with the tendency to pleasure,
and the wave of contraction, with the tendency to pain. It thus appears that
all pain contains an element of pleasure, and that pleasure, if carried too far
becomes pain—that "the tone of our sensation is determined by the
intensity of nervous excitation that reaches the central perceiving organ."

MEMORY IMAGE AND ITS REVIVAL

Dr. Bose next pointed out that there remains, for every response, a
certain residual effect. A substance, which has responded to a given
stimulus, retains, as an after-effect, a 'latent impression' of that stimulus and
this 'latent impression' is capable of subsequent revival by bringing about
the original condition of excitation. The impress made by the action of
stimulus, though it remains latent and invisible, can be revived by the
impact of a fresh excitatory impulse.

Experimenting with a metallic leaf, Dr. Bose demonstrated the revival
of a latent impression under the action of diffused stimulus. The
investigation by Dr. Bose on the after-effects of stimulus has thrown some
light on the obscure phenomenon, of 'memory.' It appears that, when there
is a mental revival of past experience, the diffuse impulse of the 'will' acts
on the sensory surface, which contains the latent impression and re-awakens
the image which appears to have faded out. Memory is concerned, thus,
with the after-effect of an impression induced by a stimulus. It differs from

ordinary sensation in the fact that the stimulus which evokes the response,
instead of being external and objective, is merely psychic and subjective.

Dr. Bose has, by experimental devises, shown the possibility of tracing
'memory-impression' backwards even in inorganic matter, such latent
impression being capable of subsequent revival. An investigation of the
after-effects of stimulus, on living tissues would open out the great problem
of the influence of past events on our present condition.

DEATH-STRUGGLE AND MEMORY REVIVAL

There is a wide-spread belief that, in the case of a sudden death-
struggle, as for example, when drowning, the memory, of the past comes in
a flash. "Assuming the correctness of this," says Sir Jagadis "certain
experimental results which I have obtained may be pertinent to the subject.
The experiment consisted in finding whether the plant, near the point of
death, gave any signal of the approaching crisis. I found that at this critical
moment a sudden electrical spasm sweeps through every part of the
organism. Such a strong and diffused stimulation—now involuntary—may
be expected in a human subject to crowd into one brief flash a panoramic
succession, of all the memory images latent in the organism."23

"COMPARATIVE ELECTRO-PHYSIOLOGY"

Dr. Bose published the results of these new researches, in 1907, in
another remarkable volume, which was styled 'The Comparative Electro-
Physiology.'

THIRD SCIENTIFIC DEPUTATION, 1907-08

After the publication of 'The Comparative Electro-Physiology,' the
Government of India again sent Dr. Bose on a Scientific Deputation. He
went over to England and America and placed the results of his researches
before the learned Scientific Bodies. He read a paper 'On Mechanical

Response of Plants' at the Liverpool meeting of British Association, in
1907. He then read a paper on 'The Oscillating Recorder for Automatic
Tracing of Plant Movements' before the New York Academy of Sciences,
and, in December 1908, he gave an address on 'Mechanical and Electrical
Response in Plants,' at the Annual Meeting of the American Association for
the Advancement of Science, held at Baltimore, and, in January 1909, he
delivered a lecture on 'Growth Response of Plants' before the United States
Department of Agriculture and, in February 1909, he read a paper on
'Death-spasm in Plants,' before the University of Illinois, and, in March
1909, a paper on 'Multiple and Autonomous Response in Plants' before the
Madison University. He also lectured before the New York Botanical
Society, the Medical Society of Boston, the Society of Western Electric
Engineers at Chicago. He also delivered a series of post-graduate lectures
on Electro-Physics and Plant Physiology at the Universities of Wisconsin,
Chicago, Ann Arbor. He returned to India, in July 1909.

FURTHER EXPERIMENTAL EXPLORATION

By his new and newer methods of investigation, Dr. Bose got a deep
and deeper perception of that underlying unity, for the demonstration of
which he had been labouring since 1901. But the dream of his life was not
yet realised. No direct method of obtaining response record was yet
obtained. Hitherto the response recorder employed was a modification of
the optical lever, automatic records being secured by the very inconvenient
and tedious process of photography (which again introduced complications
by subjecting a plant to darkness and thereby modifying its normal
excitability); and the plant was not automatically excited by stimulus,
besides the results obtained were liable to be influenced by personal factor.
So Dr. Bose set about the invention of an apparatus, which should discard
the use of photography and in which the plant (attached to the recording
apparatus) should be automatically excited by stimulus absolutely constant,
should make its own responsive record, going through its own period of
recovery, and embarking on the same cycle over again without assistance at
any point on the part of the observer. Great difficulties were encountered in
realising these ideal requirements. They appeared, at first, to be

insurmountable. But, with continuous toil and persistence, Dr. Bose
succeeded in designing a long battery of supersensitive instruments and
apparatus, which made the seeming impossible possible. His ingenious
"Resonant and Oscillating Recorders" gave a simple and direct method of
obtaining the record. The plant, being automatically excited by stimulus,
made its own responsive record. The closed doors, at last, opened. The
secret of plant life stood revealed by the autographs of the plant itself. The
great sadhana of his life now received its fulfilment. "It has been
beautifully said—and it is a law of the moral world as unchangeable as
physical laws—'Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find;
knock, and it shall be opened unto you; for every one that asketh receiveth;
and he that seeketh findeth and to him that knocketh it shall be opened."24

TRANSMISSION OF EXCITATION IN MIMOSA

Dr. Bose had shown that all plants are sensitive—that there is no
difference between the so-called 'sensitive' and the supposed 'non-
sensitive'—that they gave alike the true excitatory electric response as well
as motile response. The evidence of plant's script now removed beyond any
doubt the long-standing error which divided the vegetable world into
'sensitive' and 'insensitive.' There remained, however, the question of
nervous impulse in plants, the discovery of which, though announced by Dr.
Bose, ten years ago, did not yet find full acceptance.

Finding that the scope of his investigation has been very much enlarged
by the devise of the Resonant Recorder, Dr. Bose proceeded to attack the
current view "that there was no transmission of true excitation in Mimosa,
the propagated impulse being regarded as merely hydromechanical." This
conclusion was based on the experiments of the leading German plant
physiologists, Pfeffer and Haverlandt who failed to bring on any variation
in the propagated impulse in plants either by scalding or by application of
an anaesthetic. Dr. Bose pointed out that, as Pfeffer applied the chloroform
to the outer stalk and Haverlandt scalded the outer stem, neither the
stimulant nor the anaesthetic reached the nerves. So he, instead of applying
the stimulant or the anaesthetic, in the liquid form, to the outer stalk or

stem, confined the Mimosa, in a little chamber, and subjected it to the
influence of the vapour of the drug. The fumes now penetrated and reached
the nerves and the plant was made to record, by its own script, the
variations, if any, produced by the drugs. The plant, by its self-made
records, showed exultation with alcohol, depression with chloroform, rapid
transmission of a shock with the application of heat, and an abolition of the
propagated impulse with the application of a deadly poison like potassium
cyanide. This variation in the transmitted impulse, under physiological
variations, showed that it was not a physical one. This sealed the fate of the
hydromechanical theory.

Dr. Bose went further and showed that the impulse is transmitted in both
directions along the nerve but not at the same rate. And, by interposing an
electric block, he arrested the nervous impulse in a plant in a manner
similar to the corresponding arrest in the animal nerve and thereby
produced nervous paralysis in plant, such paralysis being afterwards cured
by appropriate treatment. "If he had made no other discovery," says the
Editor of the Scientific American "Dr. Bose would have earned an enduring
reputation in the annals of science. We know very little about paralysis in
the human body, and practically nothing about its cause. The nervous
system of the higher animals is so complicated, so intricate, that it is hard to
understand its derangement. The human nerve dies when isolated. It is
killed by the shock of removal, and responds for the moment abnormally
and therefore deceptively. But, if we study the simplest kind of a nerve,—
and the simplest is that of a plant,—we may hope to understand what occurs
when a hand or a foot cannot be made to move. To find out that plants have
nerves, to induce paralysis in such nerves and then to cure them—such
experiments will lead to discoveries that may ultimately enable physicians
to treat more rationally than they do, the various forms of paralysis now
regarded as incurable."

MIMOSA AND MAN

Dr. Bose showed not only that the nervous impulse in plant and in man
is exalted or inhibited under identical conditions but carried the parallelism

very far and pointed out the blighting effects on life of a complete seclusion
and protection from the world outside. "A plant carefully protected under
glass from outside shocks", says Sir Jagadis "looks sleek and flourishing;
but its higher nervous function is then found to be atrophied. But when a
succession of blows is rained on this effete and bloated specimen, the
shocks themselves create nervous channels and arouse anew the
deteriorated nature. And is it not shocks of adversity, and not cotton-wool
protection, that evolve true manhood?"25

ROYAL SOCIETY

Having found that his investigation on Mimosa had broken down the
barriers which separated kindred phenomena, Dr. Bose next communicated
the results of his wonderful researches to the Royal Society. His paper was
read, at a meeting of the Society, held on the 6th March 1913. The Royal
Society now found that Dr. Bose had rendered the seemingly impossible,
possible—had made the plant tell its own story by means of its self-made
records. It could no longer withhold the recognition which was his due. The
barred gates, at last, opened and the paper of Dr. Bose "On an Automatic
Method, for the investigation of the Velocity of Transmission of Excitation
in Mimosa" found publication in the "Philosophical Transactions of the
Royal Society" in Vol. 204, Series B.

HIS FURTHER INVESTIGATIONS

Dr. Bose next pursued with great vigour his investigations on the
Irritability of Plants. By making the plant tell its own story, by means of its
self-made records, he showed that there is hardly any phenomenon of
irritability observed in the animal which is not also found in the plant and
that the various manifestations of irritability in the plant are identical with
those in the animal and that many difficult problems in Animal Physiology
find their solution in the experimental study of corresponding problems
under simpler conditions of vegetable life.

HOURS OF SLEEP OF THE PLANT

It may be mentioned that Dr. Bose showed one very remarkable fact—
from the summaries of the automatic records of the responses given by a
plant (which was subjected to an impulse during all hours of the day and
night)—that it wakes up during morning slowly, becomes fully alert by
noon, and becomes sleepy only after midnight, resembling man in a
surprising manner.

"IRRITABILITY OF PLANTS"

Dr. Bose embodied the results of his fascinating researches, obtained by
the introduction of new methods, in another remarkable volume
—"Researches on Irritability of plants"—which was published, in 1913.

FURTHER RECOGNITION

In recognition of his valuable researches, Dr. J. C. Bose was invested
with the insignia of the Companion of the Order of the Star of India by His
Majesty the King Emperor, on the occasion of his Coronation Durbar, at
Delhi, in 1911.

The intelligentsia of Bengal showed also their tardy appreciation by
calling on him to preside over the deliberations of the Mymensing meeting
of the Bengal Literary Conference, held on the 14th April 1911, when he
delivered a unique Address,26 in the Bengali language, on the results of his
epoch-making researches.

The Calcutta University next showed its belated recognition, by
conferring on him the degree of D.Sc. honoris causa, in 1912.

And the Punjab University also showed its appreciation by inviting him,
in 1913, to deliver a course of lectures on the results of his investigation.

PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION

Dr. J. C. Bose was invited to give his evidence before the Royal
Commission on the Public Services in India. With reference to the Method
of Recruitment, he observed, in his written statement, as follows:—" ... I
think that a high standard of scholarship should be the only qualification
insisted on. Graduates of well-known Universities, distinguished for a
particular line of study, should be given the preference. I think the prospects
of the Indian Educational Service are sufficiently high to attract the very
best material. In Colonial Universities they manage to get very
distinguished men without any extravagantly high pay.... At present the
recruitment in the Indian Educational Service is made in England and is
practically confined to Englishmen. Such racial preference is, in my
opinion, prejudicial to the interest of education. The best men available,
English or Indian, should be selected impartially, and high scholarship
should be the only test.... It is unfortunate that Indian graduates of European
Universities who had distinguished themselves in a remarkable manner do
not for one reason or other find facilities for entering the higher Educational
Service.... I should like to add that these highly qualified Indians need only
opportunities to render service which would greatly advance the cause of
higher education.... If promising Indian graduates are given the opportunity
of visiting foreign Universities, I have no doubt that they would stand
comparison with the best recruits that can be obtained from the West.... As
teachers and workers it is an incontestable fact that Indian Officers have
distinguished themselves very highly, and anything which discriminates
between Europeans and Indians in the way of pay and prospects is most
undesirable. A sense of injustice is ill-calculated to bring about that
harmony which is so necessary among all the members of an educational
institution, professors and students alike."27 Pressing next for a high level of
scholarship, in the Indian Educational Service, he wrote:—

"It has been said that the present standard of Indian
Universities is not as high as that of British Universities, and
that the work done by the former is more like that of the 6th
form of the public schools in England. It is therefore urged
that what is required for an Educational officer in the

capacity to manage classes rather than high scholarship. I do
not agree with these views. (1) There are Universities in
Great Britain whose standards are not higher than ours; I do
not think that the Pass Degree even of Oxford or Cambridge
is higher than the corresponding degree here (2) the standard
of the Indian University is being steadily raised; (3) the
standard will depend upon what the men entrusted with
Educational work will make it. For these reasons it is
necessary that the level of scholarship represented by the
Indian Educational Service should be maintained very
high."28

He then dwelt on what should be the aim of Higher Education in India
and observed as follows:—

"... I think that all the machinery to improve the higher
education in India would be altogether ineffectual unless
India enters the world movement for the advancement of
knowledge. And for this it is absolutely necessary to touch
the imagination of the people so as to rouse them to give
their best energies to the work of research and discovery, in
which all the nations of the world are now engaged. To aim
anything less will only end in lifeless and mechanical system
from which the soul of reality has passed away."28

He was called, on the 18th December 1913, and was put to a searching
examination by the Members of the Royal Commission. The evidence that
he gave is instinct with patriotism and is highly remarkable for its
simplicity and directness about the things he said. To the Chairman (Lord
Islington) he stated that he "favoured an arrangement by which Indians
would enter the higher ranks of the service, either through the Provincial
Service or by direct recruitment in India. The latter class of officers, after
completing their education in India, should ordinarily go to Europe with a
view to widening their experience. By this he did not wish to decry the
training given in the Indian Universities, which produce some of the very
best men, and he would not make the rule absolute. It was not necessary for

men of exceptional ability to go to England in order to occupy a high chair.
Unfortunately, on account of there being no openings for men of genius in
the Educational Service, distinguished men were driven to the profession of
Law. In the present condition of India a larger number of distinguished men
were needed to give their lives to the education of the people.

"... The educational service ought to be regarded not as a profession, but
as a calling. Some men were born to be teachers. It was not a question of
race, of course; in order to have an efficient educational system, there must
be an efficient organisation, but this should not be allowed to become
fossilised, and thus stand in the way of healthy growth.... A proportion of
Europeans in the service, was needed, but only as experts and not as
ordinary teachers. Only the very best men should be obtained from Europe
and for exceptional cases. The general educational work should be done
entirely by Indians, who understood the difficulties of the country much
better than any outsider. He advocated the direct recruitment of Indians in
India by the local Government in consultation with the Secretary of State,
rather than by the Secretary of State alone. Indians were under a great
difficulty, in that they could not remain indefinitely in England after taking
their degrees and being away from the place of recruitment their claims
were overlooked. There was no reason why a European should be paid a
higher rate of salary than an Indian on account of the distance he came. An
Indian felt a sense of inferiority if a difference was made as regards pay.
The very slight saving which Government made by differentiating between
the two did not compensate for the feeling of wrong done. This feeling
would remain even if the pay was the same, but an additional grant in the
shape of a foreign service allowance was made to Europeans. All workers in
the field of education should feel a sense of solidarity, because they were all
serving one greet cause, namely, education."29

Being asked by Sir Valentine Chirol, he said "If a foreign professor
would not come and serve in India for the same remuneration as he
obtained in his own country, he would certainly not force him to come."29

To Mr. Abdur Rahim he said: "Recruitment for the Educational Service
should be made in the first place in India, if suitable men were available;

but if not then he would allow the best outsiders to be brought in. In the
present state of the country it would be very easy to fill up many of the
chairs by selecting the best men in India. The aim of the universities should
be to promote two classes of work—first, research; and, secondly, an all-
round sound education...."29

In answer to questions of Mr. Madge, he said: "Any idea that the
educational system of India was so far inferior to that of England, that
Indians, who had made their mark, had done so, not because of the
educational system of the country, but in spite of it, was quite unfounded.
The standard of education prevailing in India was quite up to the mark of
several British Universities. It was as true of any other country in the world
as of India that education was valued as a means for passing examination,
and not only for itself, and there was no more cramming in India than
elsewhere. The West certainly brought to the East a modern spirit, which
was very valuable, but it would be dearly purchased by the loss of an
honourable career for competent Indians in their own country. The
educational system in India had in the past been too mechanical, but a turn
for the better was now taking place and the Universities were recognising
the importance of research work, and were willing to give their highest
degrees to encourage it."30

To Mr. Fisher, he said that he "desired to secure for India Europeans
who had European reputations in their different branches of study. If it was
necessary to go outside India or England, to procure good men, he would
prefer to go to Germany. This was the practice in America where they were
annexing all the great intellects of Europe. He would like to see India
entering the world movement in the advance and march of knowledge. It
was of the highest importance that there should be an intellectual
atmosphere in India. It would be of advantage if there were many Indians in
the Educational Service. For they came more in contact with the people,
and influenced their intellectual activity. Besides, on retirement they would
live in India, and their ripe experience would be at their countrymen's
service."31

To Mr. Gokhale, he said that he "knew of three instances in which the
Colonies had secured distinguished men on salaries which were lower than
those given to officers of the Indian Educational Service. One was at
Toronto, another was in New Zealand and the third at Yale University. The
salaries on the two latter cases were £600 and £500 a year. The same held
good as regards Japan. The facts there had been stated in a Government of
India publication as follows: 'Subsequent to 1895 there were 67 professors
recruited in Europe and America. Of these 20 came from Germany, 16 from
England and 12 from the United States. The average pay was £384. In the
highest Imperial University the average pay is £684. As soon as Japanese
could be found to do the work, even tolerably well, the foreigner was
dropped.' When he first started work in India, he found that there was no
physical laboratory, or any grant made for a practical experimental course.
He had to construct instruments with the help of local mechanics, whom he
had to train. All this took him ten years. He then undertook original
investigation at his own expense. The Royal Society became specially
interested in his work and desired to give him parliamentary grant for its
continuation. It was after this that the Government of Bengal came forward
and offered him facilities for research. In the Educational Service he would
take men of achievement from any where; but men of promise he would
take from his own country."32

To Sir Theodore Morison, he said: "There should be one scale of pay for
all persons in the higher Educational Department. The rate of salary, Rs.
200 rising to Rs. 1,500 per month, was suitable subject to the proviso that a
man of great distinction, instead of beginning at the lowest rate of pay,
should start some where in the middle of the list, say, at Rs. 400 or Rs. 500.
He would make no difference in regard to Europeans or Indians in that
respect.... It would not be right for a great Government to grant a minimum
of pay to Indian Professors and an extravagantly high pay to their European
Colleagues, for doing the same kind of work."33

To Mr. Gupta, he said that "He desired one Service, because he thought
it was most degrading that certain man, although they were doing the same
work should be classed in a Provincial Service, while others should be
classed in an Imperial Service. The prospects of the members of the

Provincial Service were not at all what they ought to be, and that was the
reason why the best men were not attracted to it."33

FOURTH SCIENTIFIC DEPUTATION (1914-15)

Though the theories of Dr. Bose received acceptance from the leading
scientific men of the Royal Society, yet Dr. Bose realised the necessity of
bringing about a general conviction as to the truth of the identity of life-
reactions in plant and in animal. So he looked for an opportunity of giving
demonstration of his discoveries before the leading Scientific Societies of
the World. And that opportunity came. The Royal Institution of Great
Britain again invited him to deliver a 'Friday evening discourse' on the
results of his new researches. The University of Oxford and Cambridge also
followed suit. The Government of India also showed their appreciation by
sending him again on a Deputation for placing his discoveries before the
Scientific world. He remained on deputation from the 3rd April 1914 to the
12th June 1915.

DR. BOSE IN EUROPE

Proceeding on his Deputation to England, Dr. Bose gave his first
lecture, on the 20th May 1914, at Oxford,—where the late Sir John Burden
Sanderson and his followers were the leaders of biological thought—in
presence of very distinguished scientists. It was a grand success. Actual
visualisation by physical demonstration of the results of his novel
researches at once convinced those who were present. He next proposed to
give a discourse on Plant Response before the University of Cambridge.
The interest in this lecture became so very keen that the Botanical
Department of Cambridge went to the length of importing soil from India to
give the plants the most favourable conditions for exhibiting their specific
reactions. At the lecture, the large Botanical Theatre became filled with
scientific specialists, dons and advanced students, who followed with great
attention the experiments with which he illustrated his discourse. He was
greeted with applause by the eminent scientists who thronged the lecture-

theatre, at the end of every experiment. Sir Francis Darwin, the eminent
botanist, in proposing a vote of thanks to Dr. Bose, said that 'he was filled
with admiration, not only for the brilliancy of the work but for the
convincing character of the experiments.' The scientists next assembled in
great force, on the 29th May 1914, to hear the 'Friday Evening Discourse' of
Dr. J. C. Bose on 'Plant Autographs and their Revelations,' at the Royal
Institution, which was highly appreciated. At the end of the Discourse, Sir
James Dewar, President of the Institution, gave an 'At Home' in honour of
Dr. and Mrs. Bose.34

THE MAIDA VALE LABORATORY

The demonstrations of a far-reaching character which Dr. Bose gave
evoked considerable public interest in England. His private laboratory at
Maida Vale, in London, became the object of pilgrimage to the leading men
of thought there. Sir William Crookes, the President of the Royal Society,
came and became 'much impressed by the most ingenious and novel self-
recording instruments.' Professor Starling, the author of the standard work
on Physiology, and Professor Oliver, the well-known Plant Physiologist,
also became impressed by the delicacy and importance of Dr. Bose's work
and methods. Professor Carveth Read, author of "Metaphysics of Nature,"
wondered how far the researches would profoundly affect the philosophical
thoughts. Mr. Balfour, the ex-premier, became enthralled with what he saw.
Professor James A. H. Murray, Editor of the 'Oxford New English
Dictionary,' and Bernard Shaw, the famous dramatist, felt themselves
attracted to the great Indian Scientist and came to pay their homage to him.
Even Lord Crewe, the then Secretary of State for India, paid a visit to his
laboratory and spoke warmly of the pride which he and the Government of
India felt for his discoveries and of high gratification to him that India
should once more make such contributions for the intellectual advancement
of the world. The leading newspapers wrote eulogistically of his researches.
The well-known scientific journal Nature devoted ten columns to an
illustrated synopsis of his discoveries. Lord Hardinge, the then Viceroy,
wrote a congratulatory letter to him—"It has been a source of immense
gratification to the Viceroy to know that the foremost place in the special

branch of research has been taken by one of India's most distinguished sons.
The success you have won will only serve to stimulate your efforts and
those of your pupils to other scientific investigations which will redound
still further to the honour of those who conduct them, and of India, the
country of their birth."35

From England Dr. Bose proceeded to the Continent, where his
researches had already evoked keen interest.

On the 27th June 1914, he gave an address, illustrated with experiments,
before the University of Vienna, which stands foremost in Biological
researches. He was greeted with enthusiasm by the savants there. Some of
the workers in plant physiology became so very much impressed with his
demonstrations that they expressed a desire to be trained under him.
Professor Molisch, the Director of the Pflanzen-physiologisches Institute of
the Imperial University of Vienna, in proposing a vote of thanks, spoke
highly of the great inspiration which the Viennese scientific men received
from his discourse and dwelt on the indebtedness of Europe to India for the
method of investigation initiated by Dr. Bose—method, which rendered it
possible to prove deep into plant-life and bring forth results of which they
could not hitherto dream. And the University of Vienna officially addressed
the Secretary of State for India asking that special thanks of the University
be conveyed to the Government of India for the impetus given to them by
Dr. Bose's visit. Dr. Bose was next to start for Germany on his scientific
mission, and address the University of Strassburg, Leipzic, Halle, Berlin
and Bonn and then attend the international congress at Munich, but, as the
War broke out, he was compelled to come back to London.36 On his way
back, he gave a Discourse before the eminent scientific men in Paris.

On his return to London, medical men evinced great interest in his
researches. Sir John Reid, President of the Royal Society of Medicine, and
Sir Lauder Brunton, Physician of His Majesty the King Emperor, paid a
visit to his laboratory to witness the action of drugs upon plants. Sir Lauder
Brunton became of opinion that 'much light would be thrown on action of
drugs on animals, by first observing their effects on plants.' As a result of
this visit, Dr. Bose was invited to give an address to the Royal Society of

Medicine in the beginning of winter. But, as the period of his Deputation
was about to expire, the Society cabled to the Government of India for an
extension, which was granted. Dr. Bose then delivered a lecture, before the
Royal Society of Medicine, on the 30th October 1914. The Royal Society of
Medicine officially addressed the Secretary of State for India as follows:—

"... The lecture was one of the most successful we have had
yet and evoked the keenest interest in the audience, Sir
Lauder Brunton, Bt., and others taking part in the discussion,
and warmly congratulating Prof. Bose and the Society on the
value of his work. Since then I have received many
expressions of appreciation that the Society was able to offer
its fellows such an interesting demonstration of an entirely
new departure in Biological Science." "At the invitation of
the Psychological Society of London, Dr. Bose next
delivered an interesting lecture on his theory of Memory
Image."37 He also gave an Address before the London
Imperial college of Science.

DR. BOSE IN AMERICA

Dr. Bose's discoveries in the meantime evoked great interest in America.
He was invited by several leading scientific bodies to come over there and
acquaint them with the results of his wonderful researches. So he next went
to America. "While in America, he was swamped with letters and telegrams
for lecture engagements from Maine to California" wrote Professor
Sudhindra Bose M.A., Ph.D., of the Iowa University at that time, in the
Modern Review.38 "He has had so many calls for lectures from various
Scientific societies, Colleges and Universities, that if he could speak twice a
day and every day in the week, he could not hope to comply with all of
those invitations in much less than a year." As he was in the United States,
only for a few weeks, "he spoke before such learned bodies as the New
York Academy of Sciences, the American Association for the Advancement
of Science, the Brooklyn Institute of Arts and Science, the Philosophical
Society of Philadelphia, and joint meeting of Academy of Science, the

Botanical Society, and the Bureau of Plant Industry at Washington. Among
the larger Universities, he gave addresses at Harvard, Columbia, Iowa,
Illinois, Chicago, Michigan, Wisconsin.... Everywhere Dr. Bose has met
with a very hearty welcome from the people of the American Republic.
Even the Hon'ble Secretary of State, William Jennings Bryan, invited him to
give a demonstration of his work at the State Department in Washington—
an honour of unusual significance.... Dr. Bose has been made the subject of
many magazine articles, newspaper editorials, cartoons and poems"38....
"The famous Smithsonian Institute showed its high appreciation by
submitting a report of Prof. Bose's work to the Congress. The Bureau of
Plant Industry in Washington recognised his work on plant physiology as a
very important contribution for the advancement of agriculture.... At the
Harvard University his work has been received with high appreciation.
President Stanley Hall, who is one of the leading psychologists of the day,
has introduced Prof. Bose's work in the Post-graduate course of the Clarke
University. His books have also been prescribed for physiological courses
in different Universities in America, and in one of the leading Universities
there, a special course of lectures is devoted to Prof. Bose's investigations
on plant irritability...."39

The Columbia University, the largest in the United States, requested Dr.
Bose to provide facilities in his Laboratory "for the reception of foreign
students, who are desirous of familiarising themselves first hand with his
apparatus and methods."

WHAT DR. BOSE SAW IN JAPAN

Dr. Bose then came back to India, in June 1915, via Japan. During his
stay, in Japan, he acquainted himself with the efforts of the people and their
aspirations towards a great future. He found that, "in materialistic
efficiency, which, in a mechanical era, is regarded as an index of
civilisation, they have surpassed their German teachers. A few decades ago,
they had no foreign shipping and no manufactures. But, within an
incredibly short time, their magnificent lines of steamers have proved so
formidable a competitor that the great American lines in the Pacific will

soon be compelled to stop their sailings. Their industries again, through the
wise help of the State and other adventitious aids, are capturing foreign
markets. But far more admirable is their foresight to save their country from
any embroilment with other nations with whom they want to live in peace.
And they realise that any predominant interest of a foreign country in their
trade or manufacture is sure to lead to misunderstanding and friction.
Actuated by this idea, they have practically excluded all foreign
manufactured articles by prohibitive tariffs."40 "Is our country slow to
realise the danger" asks Dr. Bose "that threatens her by the capture of her
market and the total destruction of her industries? Does she not realise that
it is helpless passivity that directly provokes aggression?... There is,
therefore, no time to be lost and the utmost effort is demanded of the
Government and the people for the revival of our industries...."41

A PATRIOTIC CALL

"A very serious danger" continues Dr. Bose "is thus seen to be
threatening the future of India, and to avert it will require the utmost effort
of the people. They have not only to meet the economic crisis but also to
protect the ideals of ancient Aryan civilisation from the destructive forces
that are threatening it.... There is a danger of regarding the mechanical
efficiency as the sole end of life; there is also the opposite danger of a life
of dreaming, bereft of struggle and activity, the degenerating into parasitic
habits of dependence. Only through the noble call of patriotism can our
nation realise the highest ideals in thought and in action...."42

BACK TO INDIA

After his return to India, Dr. Bose attended the Indian Science Congress
at Lucknow. He then attended the ceremony of the laying of the foundation
stone of the Hindu University at Benares. On that occasion he delivered a
masterly address. He said:—

"In tracing the characteristic phenomena of life from simple beginnings
in that vast region which may be called unvoiced, as exemplified in the
world of plants, to its highest expression in the animal kingdom, one is
repeatedly struck by the one dominant fact that in order to maintain an
organism at the height of its efficiency something more than a mechanical
perfection of its structure is necessary. Every living organism, in order to
maintain its life and growth, must be in free communion with all the forces
of the Universe about it.

"Further, it must not only constantly receive stimulus from without, but
must also give out something from within, and the healthy life of the
organism will depend on these two-fold activities of inflow and outflow.
When there is any interference with these activities, then morbid symptoms
appear, which ultimately must end in disaster and death. This is equally true
of the intellectual life of a Nation. When through narrow conceit a Nation
regards itself self-sufficient and cuts itself from the stimulus of the outside
world, then intellectual decay must inevitably follow.

"So far as regards the receptive function. Then there is another function
in the intellectual life of a Nation, that of spontaneous flow, that going out
of its life by which the world is enriched. When the Nation has lost this
power, when it merely receives, but cannot give out, then its healthy life is
over, and it sinks into a degenerate existence, which is purely parasitic.

"How can our Nation give out of the fulness of the life that is in it, and
how can a new Indian University help in the realisation of this object? It is
clear that its power of directing and inspiring will depend on its world
status. This can be secured to it by no artificial means, nor by any strength
in the past....

"This world status can only be won by the intrinsic value of the great
contributions to be made by its own Indian scholars for the advancement of
the world's knowledge. To be organic and vital our new University must
stand primarily for self-expression and for winning for India a place she has
lost. Knowledge is never the exclusive possession of any particular race,
nor does it recognise geographical limitations. The whole world is

interdependent, and a constant stream of thought has been carried out
throughout the ages enriching the common heritage of mankind. Although
science was neither of the East nor of the West but international, certain
aspects of it gained richness by reason of their place of origin."43

OUTCOME OF THE SCIENTIFIC MISSION

The scientific mission of Dr. Bose to the West was a great success. The
very convincing character of the demonstrations that he gave, before the
leading Scientific Societies of the world, with his newly invented Resonant
Recorder and other delicate instruments, secured a world-wide acceptance
of his theories and results. Not only that. He secured also a recognition from
the leading thinkers of "that trend of thought which led him unconsciously
to the dividing frontiers of different sciences and shaped the course of his
work."44 It has come to be recognised that "India through her habit of mind
is peculiarly fitted to realise the idea of unity and to see in the phenomenal
world an orderly universe," to realise that "there can be but one truth, one
Science which includes all other branches of knowledge,"44 and that the
store of world's knowledge would be incomplete without India's special
contribution to it. Thus he has raised India in the estimation of the
intellectual world.

RETIREMENT FROM GOVERNMENT SERVICE

Dr. Bose reached the age limit of 55 on the 29th November 1913 but he
was granted an extension till the 13th September 1915. The period of his
extension having expired, he retired from the Professorship in the
Presidency College after 31 years of service. The Governing Body of the
College, however, "in recognition of his eminent services to Science and
Presidency College," appointed him honoris causa Emeritus Professor of
the College. His duties as a member of the staff ceased. But he was given
facilities to continue his work in the Physical Laboratory of the College.45

FURTHER RECOGNITION

After his retirement, the Secretary of State, who had already been
impressed with the high value of his researches, sanctioned a recurring
grant of Rs. 30,000 a year (for him and his assistants) for 5 years and a non-
recurring grant of Rs. 25,000 (for equipment) for continuation of his
original work.... And, in further recognition of his valuable scientific work,
the Government conferred on him a Knighthood, on the 1st January 1917. It
may, however, be mentioned that this high honour has been bestowed for
the first time on an Indian for his original work in Science.

FEELS THE NECESSITY FOR THE FOUNDATION OF AN
INSTITUTE

Relieved of the trammels of service, Dr. Bose felt the necessity for
realising a dream that wove a network round his wakeful life for years past
—for establishing an Institute—a Study and Garden of Life—where the
creepers, plants and trees would be played upon by their natural
environment and would transcribe in their own script the history of their
experience, where "the student would watch the panorama of life" and,
"isolated from all distractions, would learn to attune himself with Nature
and to see how community throughout the great ocean of life outweighs
apparent the dissimilarity," and where "the genius of India would find its
true blossoming," where the "synthetical intellectual methods of the East
would co-operate with the analytical methods of the West," and whence
would emanate a rich and peculiar current of thought and to which would
be attracted votaries from all lands.46

THE BOSE INSTITUTE

Though the realisation of such a glorious Institute would not be effected
through one life or one fortune, he wanted to accomplish something—
something, so far as it lay in his power. So he proceeded to build and equip
an Institute—the "Bose Institute"—at a cost of about 5 lakhs, the entire
savings of his lifetime. While it was being constructed Their Excellencies
the Viceroy and the Governor of Bengal paid a visit to Dr. Bose's private

laboratory. On the 30th November 1917—the anniversary of his sixtieth
birthday—he dedicated the Institute to the Nation, for the progress of
Science and for the Glory of India.

THE AIMS OF THE INSTITUTE

In this Institute, Dr. Bose intends to go on with "the further and fuller
investigation of the many and ever-opening problems of the nascent science
which includes both Life and None Life" and wants to train up a devoted
band of workers, with the Sanyasin mind, who would keep alive the flame
kindled by him, and who, by acute observation and patient experiment
would "wring out from Nature some of her most jealously guarded secrets"
and who would thus lead to the establishment of a great Indian School of
Science and to the "building of the greater India yet to be." There would be
no academic limitation here to the widest possible diffusion of knowledge.
The facilities of the Institute would be available to workers from all
countries and there would be no desecration of knowledge here by its
utilisation for personal gain—no patent would be taken of the discoveries
here made. The high aim of a great Seat of Learning would be sought to be
maintained here. The lectures here given would not be mere repetitions,
second-hand knowledge but would announce for the first time to the world
the new discoveries here made.47

The efforts of Dr. Bose have also animated our countrymen. Maharaja
Sir Manindra Chandra Nandy of Kasimbazar has made a gift of two lakhs to
the Institute. Mr. S. R. Bomanji has given one lakh. Mr. Moolraj Khatao has
endowed the Institute with two lakh and a quarter. Other contributions are
still pouring in.

A GREAT 'SADHAK'

With a true Sanyasin spirit, Dr. Bose applied himself to the study of
Nature. His ardour was ever compassable. Even the limitations of the senses
would hardly fetter him in his explorations in the regions of the Unknown.
He expended the range of perception by means of wonderfully sensitive

instrumental devices. By acute observations and patient experiment he
wrung out from Nature some of her most jealously guarded secrets in the
realm of Electric Radiation, which "literally filled with wonder and
admiration" the greatest scientist of the age. Allurements of great material
prospects—which might lead him to the path of immense fortune—came to
him, in the shape of the patents of his inventions. But they had no attraction
for him. In utter disregard of all worldly advancement, he continued in his
pursuit of knowledge.

In pursuit of his investigations on Electric Radiation, he was
unconsciously led into the border region of Physics and Physiology. He
caught a glimpse of ineffable wonder that remained hidden behind the view.
He attempted to lift the veil. And, at once, difficulties presented themselves
one after another. An unfamiliar caste in the domain of Science got
offended. He was asked not to encroach on the special preserve of the
Physiologists and, as he did not pay any heed to the warning,
misrepresentations began. Even the evidence of his supersensitive
appliances failed to convince many. And the Royal Society withheld
publication of his researches. He was recompensed with ridicule and
reviling. The limited facilities that he had in the prosecution of his
researches were in danger of being withdrawn. But he had a burning Faith
in the Vision and was not to be boggled at with these difficulties. He
became stronger in his determination. Realising an inner call, he dedicated
himself for the establishment of the truth underlying his Faith. He cast his
life, as an offering, regarding success and failure as one, and engaged
himself in a protracted struggle to get behind the deceptive seeming into the
reality that remained unseen. After years of sustained efforts, he succeeded
in overcoming almost insuperable difficulties in the way of the realisation
of the great dream of his life. The closed doors at last opened, and the
seemingly impossible became possible. The secret of the plant world stood
revealed by the autographs of the plants themselves. "It was when I came
upon the mute witness of these self-made records," said Sir J. C. Bose,
when he stood before the Royal Institution "and perceived in them one
phase of a pervading unity that bears within it all things: the mote that
quivers in ripples of light, the teeming life upon our earth, and the radiant
suns that shine above us—it was then that I understood for the first time a

little of that message proclaimed by my ancestors on the banks of the
Ganges thirty centuries ago."

"They who see but one in all the changing manifestations of
this universe, unto them belongs Eternal Truth—unto none
else, unto none else."48

The Rishis of ancient India, by their intense Yoga, realised the One in
the Many. But Sir Jagadis Chandra, by rigorous experimental
demonstration, realised a Unity amidst Diversity. He perceived that "there
was no such thing as brute matter, but that spirit suffused matter in which it
was enshrined."49

EFFECT OF HIS WORK

It is impossible to estimate the effect of his epoch-making researches.
The psychic stone flung by him into the pool of physical botany, has made
the ripples run in so many directions. There have been produced
"unexpected revelations in plant life, foreshadowing the wonders of the
highest animal life." And there "have opened out very extended regions of
inquiry in Physics, in Physiology, in Medicine, in Agriculture and even in
Psychology. Problems, hitherto regarded as insoluble, have now been
brought within the sphere of experimental investigation."

Sir J.C. Bose has not only extended the distant boundaries of Science,
but, by his peculiarly Indian contribution, has secured a recognised place
for India and has revived a hope in the Indian mind that India may yet
regain a place among the intellectual nations of the world. Men like him are
rare not only in India but rare any where in the world. May he live long!

Footnotes

[1] Vide 'History of a Failure that was great'—Modern Review, Vol.
XXI, p. 221.

[2] Vide 'History of a Failure that was great'—Modern Review. Vol.
XXI p. 221.

[3] Vide 'History of a failure that was great'—Modern Review, Vol.
XXI, p 221.

[4] 'History of a Failure that was great'—Modern Review. Vol, XXI, p.
221.

[5] Convocation Address, dated 2nd March 1907, delivered by Sir
Ashutosh Mookerjea.

[6] Vide Evidence of Dr. J. C. Bose before the Public Services
Commission,—Vol. XX, p. 136.

[7] Address to the Royal Society by its President, Sir Benjamin
Brodie, 30th November 1859.

[8] 1 metre = 39.4 inches.

[9] Encyclopædia Britannica, 11th Edition, Vol IX, p. 206.

[10] Encyclopædia Britannica, 11th Edition, Vol. IX, p. 206.

[11] See 'History of a Discovery'—Modern Review, Vol. XVIII, p.
693.

[12] See 'Voice of Life'—Modern Review, Vol. XII, p. 590.

[13] Vide 'History of a Discovery'—Modern Review, Vol. XVIII, p.
694.

[14] Response in Living and Non-Living, p. 191.

[15] See 'Voice of Life'—Modern Review, Vol. XXII, p. 588.

[16] See 'History of a Discovery'—Modern Review, Vol. XVIII, p.
694.

[17] Vide 'Voice of Life'—Modern Review, Vol. XXII, p. 592.

[18] See 'Voice of Life'—Modern Review, Vol. XXII, p. 592.

[19] Vide 'Voice of Life'—Modern Review, Vol. XXII, p. 592.

[20] Vide 'History of a Discovery'—Modern Review, Vol. XVIII, p.
694.

[21] Cf. Preface to 'Comparative Electro-Physiology' p. IX.

[22] Vide 'Comparative Electro-Physiology' pp. 732-733.

[23] Vide 'Memory Image and its Revival,' Sir J. C. Bose—Modern
Review, Vol. XXIV, p. 447.

[24] Sri Sermon on "Prayer" delivered by Keshub Chunder Sen at the
Prarthana Samaj, Bombay, on March 26, 1868.

[25] See 'Voice of Life'—Modern Review, Vol. XXII, p. 588.

[26] Vide Modern Review Vol. XI, p. 539.

[27] Vide Appendix to the Report of the Royal Commission on the
Public Services in India, Vol. XX, p. 135-136.

[28] Vide Appendix to the Report of the Royal Commission on the
Public Services in India, Vol. XX, p. 135.

[29] Vide Appendix to the Report of the Royal Commission on the
Public Services in India, Vol. XX, p. 136

[30] Vide Appendix to the Report of the Royal Commission on the
Public Services in India, Vol. XX, p. 137.

[31] Vide Appendix to the Report of the Royal Commission on the
Public Services in India, Vol. XX, p. 137.

[32] Vide Appendix to the Report of the Royal Commission on the
Public Services in India, Vol. XX, p. 137.

[33] Vide Appendix to the Report of the Royal Commission on the
Public Services in India, Vol. XX, p. 139.

[34] Vide Modern Review—Vol. XVI, pp. 16, 118, 120.

[35] Vide Modern Review, Vol. XVI, pp. 120, 121, 126.

[36] Vide Modern Review, Vol. XVII, P. 559.

[37] Vide Modern Review, Vol. XVI, p. 246.

[38] Vide Modern Review, Vol. XVII, p. 559.

[39] Vide Modern Review, Vol. XVIII, p. 1.

[40] Vide Modern Review, Vol. XVIII. p. 214.

[41] Vide Modern Review, Vol. XVIII. p. 215.

[42] Vide Modern Review, Vol. XVIII, p. 215.

[43] Vide Modern Review, Vol. XIX, p. 277.

[44] Vide 'Voice of Life'—Modern Review, Vol. XXII, p. 591.

[45] Presidency College Magazine, Vol. II, p. 335.

[46] Presidency College Magazine, Vol. II, p, 335.

[47] Vide 'Voice of Life'—Modern Review, XXII, p. 590.

[48] Vide 'Voice of Life'—Modern Review Vol XXII, p. 590.

[49] Vide Modern Review, Vol. XXI, p. 343.

LITERATURE AND SCIENCE
The following is a substance of the Address delivered in Bengali by
Prof. J. C. Bose, on the 14th April 1911, as the President of the Bengal
Literary Conference, which met in the Easter of 1911 at Mymensing.

In this Literary Congress it would appear that you have interpreted
Letters in no exclusive sense. We are not met to discuss the place that
literature is to hold in the gospel of beauty. Rather are we set upon
conceiving of her in larger ways. To us to-day literature is no mere
ornament, no mere amusement. Instead of this, we desire to bring beneath
her shadow all the highest efforts of our minds. In this great communion of
learning, this is not the first time that a scientific man has officiated as
priest. The chair which I now occupy has already been held by one whom I
love and honour as friend and colleague, and glory in our countryman,
Praphulla Chandra Ray. In honouring him, your Society has not only done
homage to merit, but has also placed before our people a lofty and inclusive
ideal of literature.

You are aware that in this West, the prevailing tendency at the moment
is, after a period of synthesis, to return upon the excessive sub-division of
learning. The result of this specialisation is rather to accentuate the
distinctiveness of the various sciences, so that for a while the great unity of
all tends perhaps to be obscured. Such a caste system in scholarship,
undoubtedly helps at first, in the gathering and classification of new
material. But if followed too exclusively, it ends by limiting the
comprehensiveness of truth. The search is endless. Realisation evades us.

The Eastern aim has been rather the opposite, namely, that in the
multiplicity of phenomena, we should never miss their underlying unity.

After generations of this quest, the idea of unity comes to us almost
spontaneously, and we apprehend no insuperable obstacle in grasping it.

I feel that here in this Literary Congress, this characteristic idea of unity
has worked unconsciously. We have never thought of narrowing the bounds
of literature by a jealous definition of its limits. On the contrary, we have
allowed its empire to extend. And you have felt that this could be
adequately done only, if in one place you could gather together all that we
are seeking, all that we are thinking, all that we are examining. And for this
you have to-day invited those who sing along with those who meditate, and
those who experiment. And this is why, though my own life has been given
to the pursuit of science, I had yet no hesitation in accepting the honour of
your invitation.

POETRY AND SCIENCE

The poet, seeing by the heart, realises the inexpressible and strived to
give it expression. His imagination soars, where the sight of others fails,
and his news of realm unknown finds voice in rhyme and metre. The path
of the scientific man may be different, yet there is some likeness between
the two pursuits. Where visible light ends, he still follows the invisible.
Where the note of the audible reaches the unheard, even there he gathers the
tremulous message. That mystery which lies behind the expressed, is the
object of his questioning also; and he, in his scientific way, attempts to
render its abstruse discoveries into human speech.

This vast abode of nature is built in many wings, each with its own
portal. The physicist, the chemist, and the biologist entering by different
doors, each one his own department of knowledge, comes to think that this
is his special domain, unconnected with that of any other. Hence has arisen
our present rigid division of phenomena, into the worlds of the inorganic,
vegetal, and sentient. But this attitude of mind is philosophical, may be
denied. We must remember that all enquiries have as their goal the
attainment of knowledge in its entirety. The partition walls between the
cells in the great laboratory are only erected for a time to aid this search.

Only at that point where all lines of investigation meet, can the whole truth
be found.

Both poet and scientific worker have set out for the same goal, to find a
unity in the bewildering diversity. The difference is that the poet thinks little
of the path, whereas the scientific man must not neglect. The imagination of
the poet has to be unrestricted. The intuitions of emotion cannot be
established by rigid proof. He has, therefore, to use the language of
imagery, adding constantly the words 'as if.'

The road that the scientific man has to tread is on the other hand very
rugged, and in his pursuit of demonstration he must pay a severe restraint
on his imagination. His constant anxiety is lest he should be self-deceived.
He has, therefore, at every step to compare his own thought with the
external fact. He has remorselessly to abandon all in which these are not
agreed. His reward is that he gets, however little is certain, forming a strong
foundation for what is yet to come. Even by this path of self-restraint and
verification, however, he is making for a region surpassing wonder. In the
range of that invisible light, gross objects cease to be a barrier, and force
and matter become less aesthetic. When the veil is suddenly lifted, upon the
vision hitherto unsuspected, he may for a moment lose his accustomed self-
restraint and, exclaim "not 'as if'—but the thing itself!"

INVISIBLE LIGHT.

In illustration of this sense of wonder which links together poetry and
science, let me allude briefly to a few matters that belong to my own small
corner in the great universe of knowledge, that of light invisible and of life
unvoiced. Can anything appeal more to the imagination than the fact that
we can detect the peculiarities in the internal molecular structure of an
opaque body by means of light that is itself invisible? Could anything have
been more unexpected than to find that a sphere of China-clay focuses
invisible light more perfectly than a sphere of glass focuses the visible; that
in fact, the refractive power of this clay to electric radiation is at least as
great as that of the most costly diamond to light? From amongst the

innumerable octaves of light, there is only one octave, with power to excite
the human eye. In reality, we stand, in the midst of a luminous ocean,
almost blind! The little that we can see is nothing, compared to the vastness
of that which we cannot. But it may be said that out of the very
imperfection of his senses man has been able, in science, to build for
himself a raft of thought by which to make daring adventure on the great
seas of the unknown.

UNVOICED LIFE.

Again, just as, in following up light from visible to invisible, our range
of investigation transcends our physical sight, so also does our power of
sympathy become extended, when we pass from the voiced to the unvoiced,
in the study of life: Is there then any possible relation between our own life
and that of the plant world? That there may be such a relation, some of the
foremost of scientific men have denied. So distinguished a leader as the late
Burdon-Sanderson declared that the majority of plants were not capable of
giving any answer, by either mechanical or electrical excitement, to an
outside stock. Pfeffer, again, and his distinguished followers, have insisted
that the plants have neither a nervous system, nor anything analogous to the
nervous impulse of the animal. According to such a view, that two streams
of life, in plant and animal, flow side by side, but under the guidance of
different laws. The problems of vegetable life are, it must be said,
extremely obscure, and for the penetrating of that darkness we have long
had to wait for instruments of a superlative sensitiveness. This has been the
principal reason for our long clinging to mere theory, instead of looking for
the demonstration of facts. But to learn the truth we have to put aside
theories, and rely only on direct experiment. We have to abandon all our
preconceptions, and put our questions direct, insisting that the only
evidence we can accept is that which bears the plant's own signature.

How are we to know what unseen changes take place within the plant?
If it be excited or depressed by some special circumstance, how are we, on
the outside, to be made aware of this? The only conceivable way would be,
if that were possible, to detect and measure the actual response of the

organism to a definite external blow. When an animal receives an external
shock it may answer in various ways if it has voice, by a cry; if it be dumb,
by the movement of its limbs. The external shock is a stimulus; the answer
of the organism is the response. If we can find out the relation between this
stimulus and the response, we shall be able to determine the vitality of the
plant at that moment. In an excitable condition, the feeblest stimulus will
evoke an extraordinarily large response: in a depressed state, even a strong
stimulus evokes only a feeble response; and lastly, when death has
overcome life, there is an abrupt end of the power to answer at all.

We might therefore have detected the internal condition of the plant, if,
by some inducement, we could have made it write down its own responses.
If we could once succeed in this apparently impossible task we should still
have to learn the new language and the new script. In a world of so many
different scripts, it is certainly undesirable to introduce a new one! I fear the
Uniform Script Association will cherish a grievance against us for this. It is
fortunate however that the plant-script bears, after all, a certain resemblance
to the Devanagari—inasmuch as it is totally unintelligible to any but the
very learned!

But there are two serious difficulties in our path; first, to make the plant
itself consent to give its evidence; second, through plant and instrument
combined, to induce it to give it in writing. It is comparatively easy to make
a rebellious child obey: to extort answers from plants is indeed a problem!
By many years of close contiguity, however, I have come to have some
understanding of their ways. I take this opportunity to make public
confession of various acts of cruelty which I have from time to time
perpetrated on unoffending plants, in order to compel them to give me
answers. For this purpose, I have devised various forms of torment,—
pinches simple and revolving, pricks with needles, and burns with acids.
But let this pass. I now understand that replies so forced are unnatural, and
of no value. Evidence so obtained is not to be trusted. Vivisection, for
instance, cannot furnish unimpugnable results, for excessive shock tends of
itself to make the response of a tissue abnormal. The experimental organism
must therefore be subjected only to moderate stimulation. Again, one has to
choose for one's experiment a favourable moment. Amongst plants, as with

ourselves, there is, very early in the morning, especially after a cold night,
certain sluggishness. The answers, then, are a little indistinct. In the
excessive heat of midday, again, though the first few answers are very
distinct, yet fatigue soon sets in. On a stormy day, the plant remains
obstinately silent. Barring all these sources of aberration, however, if we
choose our time wisely, we may succeed in obtaining clear answers, which
persist without interruption.

It is our object, then, to gather the whole history of the plant, during
every moment between its birth and its death. Through how many cycle of
experience it has to pass! The effects on it of recurring light and darkness;
the pull of the earth, and the blow of the storm; how complex is the
concatenation of circumstances, how various are the shocks, and how
multiplex are the replies which we have to analyse! In this vegetal life
which appears so placid and so stationary, how manifold are the subtle
internal reactions! Then how are we to make this invisible visible?

THE DIARY OF THE PLANT.

The little seedling we know to be growing, but the rate of its growth is
far below anything we can directly perceive. How are we to magnify this so
as to make it instantly measurable? What are the variations in this
infinitesimal growth under external shock? what changes are induced by the
action of drugs or poisons? will the action of poison change with the dose?
Is it possible to counteract the effect of one by another?

Supposing that the plant does not give answers to external shock, what
time elapses between the shock and the reply? Does this latent period
undergo any variation with external conditions? Is it possible to make the
plant itself write down this excessively minute time-interval?

Next, does the effect of the blow given outside reach the interior of the
plant? If so, is there anything analogous to the nerve of the animal? If so,
again, at what rate does the nervous impulse travel the plant? By what
favourable circumstances will this rate of transmission become enhanced,
and by what will be retarded or arrested? Is it possible to make the plant

itself record this rate and its variations? Is there any resemblance between
the nervous impulse in plants and animals? In the animal there are certain
automatically pulsating tissues like the heart. Are there any such
spontaneously beating tissues in a plant? What is the meaning of
spontaneity? And lastly, when by the blow of death, life itself is finally
extinguished, will it be possible to detect the critical moment? And does the
plant then exert itself to make one overwhelming reply, after which
response ceases altogether? Its autobiography can only be regarded as
complete, if, with the help of efficient instruments, all these questions can
be answered by it, so as to form the different chapters.

"If the plant could have been made thus to keep its own diary, then the
whole of its history might have been recovered!" But words like these are
born of day dreams merely. Vague imaginings of this kind may furnish
much gratification to an idle life. When, awaking from these pleasant
dreams of science, we seek to actualise the conditions imposed by them, we
find ourselves face to face with a dead wall. For the doorway of nature's
court is barred with iron, and through it can penetrate no mere cry of
childish petulance. It is only by the gathered force of many years of
concentration, that the gate can be opened, and the seeker enter to explore
the secrets that have baffled him so long.

DIFFICULTIES OF RESEARCH IN INDIA.

We often hear that without a properly equipped laboratory, higher
research in this country is an absolute impossibility. But while there is a
good deal in this, it is not by any means the whole truth. If it were all, then
from these countries where millions have been spent on costly laboratories,
we should have had daily accounts of new discoveries. Such news we do
not hear. It is true that here we suffer from many difficulties, but how does
it help us, to envy the good fortune of others? Rise from your depression!
Cast off your weakness! Let us think, "In whatever condition we are placed,
that is the true starting-point for us." India is our working-place, and all our
duties are to be accomplished here, and nowhere else. Only he who has lost
his manhood need repine.

In carrying out research, there are other difficulties, besides the want of
well-equipped laboratories. We often forget that the real laboratory is one's
own mind. The room and the instruments only externalise that. Every
experiment has first to be carried out in that inner region. To keep the
mental vision clear, great struggles have to be undergone. For its clearness
is lost, only too easily. The greatest wealth of external appliances is of no
avail, where there is not a concentrated pursuit, utterly detached from
personal gain. Those whose minds rush hither and thither, those who hunger
for public applause instead of truth itself, by them the quest is not won. To
those on the other hand, who do long for knowledge itself, the want of
favourable conditions does not seem the principle obstacle.

In the first place, we have to realise that knowledge for the sake of
knowledge is our aim, and that the world's common standard of utility have
no place in it. The enquirer must follow where he is led, holding the quiet
faith that things which appear to-day to be of no use, may be of the highest
interest to-morrow. No height can be climbed, without the hewing of many
an unremembered step! It is necessary, then, that the enquirer and his
disciples should work on ceaselessly, undeterred by years of failure, and
undistracted by the thunder of public applause. We may one day come to
realise that India in the past has shared her knowledge with the world, and
we may ask ourselves, is that destiny now ended for us? Are we of to-day to
be debtors only? Perhaps when we have once felt this, a new Nalanda may
arise.

THE PHYTOGRAPH

I was speaking of the need of various delicate instruments—
phytographs, as I shall call them—for the automatic record of the plant's
responses. What was, ten years ago, a mere aspiration, has now after so
many years of effort, become actual fact. It is unnecessary to tell here of
many a fruitless and despairing attempt. Nor shall I trouble you with any
account of intricate mechanism. I need only say that with the aid of
different types of apparatus, it is now possible for all the responsive
activities of the plant to be written down. For instance, we can make an

instantaneous record of the growth and its variations, moment by moment.
Scripts can be obtained of its spontaneous movement. And a recording arm
will demorcate the line of life from that of death. The extreme delicacy of
one of these instruments will be understood, when it is said that it measures
and records a time-interval so short as one-thousandth part of a second!

It has been supposed that instruments for research of this delicacy and
precision, were only possible of construction in the best scientific
manufactories of Europe. It will therefore be regarded as interesting and
encouraging to know that every one of these has been executed entirely in
India, by Indian workmen and mechanicians.

With perfect instruments at our disposal, we may proceed to describe a
few amongst the many phenomena which now stand revealed. But before
this, it is necessary to deal briefly with the superstition that has led to the
division of plants into sensitive and insensitive. By the electrical mode of
investigation, it can be shown that not only Mimosa and the like, but all
plants of all kinds are sensitive, and give definite replies to impinging
stimuli. Ordinary plants, it is true, are unable to give any conspicuous
mechanical indication of excitement. But this is not because of any
insensitiveness, but because of equal and antagonistic reactions which
neutralise each other. It is possible, however, by employing appropriate
means, to show that even ordinary plants give mechanical replies to
stimulus.

THE DETERMINATION OF THE LATENT PERIOD

When an animal is struck by a blow, it does not respond at once. A
certain short interval elapses between the incidence of the blow, and the
beginning of the reply. This lost time is known as the latent period. In the
leg of a frog, the latent period according to Helmwoltz, is about one-
hundredth of a second. This latent period, however, undergoes appropriate
variation with changing external conditions. With feeble stimulus, it has a
definite value, which, with an excessive blow, is much shortened. In the
cold season, it is relatively long. Again, when we are tired our perception

time, as we may call it, may be greatly prolonged. Every one of these
observations is equally applicable to the perception time of the plant. In
Mimosa, in a vigorous condition, the latent period is six one hundredth of a
second, that is to say, only six times its value in an energetic frog! Another
curious thing is that a stoutish tree will give its response in a slow and
lordly fashion, whereas a thin one attains the acme of its excitement in an
incredibly short time! Perhaps some of us can tell from our own experience
whether similar differences obtain amongst human kind or not? The plant's
latent period in our cold weather may be almost doubled. Ordinarily
speaking it takes Mimosa about fifteen minutes to recover from a blow. If a
second blow be given, before the full recovery of its equanimity, then the
plant becomes fatigued, and its latent period is lengthened. When over-
fatigued, it may temporarily lose its power of perception altogether, what
this condition is like, my audience is only too likely to realise, at the end of
my long address!

THE RELATION BETWEEN STIMULUS AND RESPONSE

According to varying circumstances, the same blow will evoke
responses of different amplitudes. Early in the morning, after the prolonged
inactivity of a cold night, we find the plant inclined to be lethargic, and its
first answers correspondingly small. But as blow after blow is delivered,
this lethargy passes off, and the replies become stronger and stronger. A
good way to remove this lethargy quickly, is to give the plant a warm bath.
In the heat of the midday, this state of things is reversed. That is to say, after
giving vigorous replies the plant becomes fatigued, and its responses grow
smaller. This fatigue passes off, however, on allowing it a period of rest. On
increasing the intensity of the impinging stimulus, the response also
increases. But a limit is attained, beyond which response can no longer be
enhanced. Again, just as the pain of a blow persists longer with ourselves,
in winter than in summer, so the same holds good of the reaction of the
plant also. For instance, in summer it takes Mimosa ten to fifteen minutes to
recover from a blow, whereas in winter the same thing would take over half
an hour. In all this, you will recognise the similarity between human
response and that of the plant.

SPONTANEOUS PULSATION

In certain tissues, a very curious phenomenon is observed. In man and
other animals, there are tissues which beat, as we say, spontaneously. As
long as life lasts, so long does the heart continue to pulsate. There is no
effect without a cause. How then was it that these pulstations [became
spontaneous? To this query, no fully satisfactory answer has been
forthcoming. We find, however, that similar spontaneous movements are
also observable in plant tissues, and by their investigation the secret of
automatism in the animal may perhaps be unravelled.

Physiologists, in order to know the heart of man, play with those of the
frog and tortoise. "To know the heart," be it understood, is here meant in a
purely physical, and not in a poetic sense. For this it is not always
convenient to employ the whole of the frog. The heart is therefore cut out,
and make the subject of experiments, as to what conditions accelerate, and
what retard, the rate and amplitude of its beat. When thus isolated, the heart
tends of itself to come to a standstill, but if, by means of fine tubing, it be
then subjected to interval blood pressure, its beating will be resumed, and
will continue uninterrupted for a long time. By the influence of warmth, the
frequency of the pulsation may be increased, but its amplitude diminished.
Exactly the reverse is the effect of cold. The natural rhythm and the
amplitude of the pulse undergo appropriate changes, again, under the action
of different drugs. Under either, the heart may come to a standstill, but on
blowing this off the beat is renewed. The action of chloroform is more
dangerous, any excess in the dose inducing permanent arrest. Besides these,
there are poisons also which arrest the heart beat, and a very noticeable fact
in this connection is, that some stop in a contracted, and others in a relaxed
condition. Knowing these opposed effects, it is sometimes possible to
counteract the effect of one poison by administering another.

I have thus briefly stated some of the most important phenomena in
connection with spontaneous movements in animal tissues. Is it possible
that in plants also any parallel phenomena might be observed? In answer to
this question, I may say that I have found numerous instances of automatic
movements in plants.

RHYTHMIC PULSATIONS IN DESMODIUM

The existence of such spontaneous movements can easily be
demonstrated, by means of our Indian Bon charal, the telegraph plant, or
Desmodium gyrans, whose small leaflets dance continually. The popular
belief that they dance in response to the clapping of the hands is quite
untrue. From readings of the scripts made by this plant, I am in a position to
state that the automatic movements of both plants and animals are guided
by laws which are identical.

Firstly, when, for convenience of experiment, we cut off the leaflet, its
spontaneous movements, like those of the heart, come to a stop. But if we
now subject the isolated leaflet, by means of a fine tube, to an added
internal pressure of the plant's sap, its pulsations are renewed, and continue
uninterrupted for a very long time. It is found again that the pulsation
frequency is increased under the action warmth, and lessened under cold,
increased frequency being attended by diminution of amplitude and vice
versa. Under either, there is temporary arrest, revival being possible when
the vapour is blown off. More fatal is the effect of chloroform. The most
extraordinary parallelism, however, lies in the fact that those poisons which
arrest the beat of the heart in a particular way, arrest the plant—pulsation
also in a corresponding manner. I have thus been able to revive a leaflet
poisoned by the application of one, with a dose of a counteracting poison.

Let us now enquire into the causes of these automatic movements so-
called. In experimenting with certain types of plant-tissues, I find that an
external stimulus may not always evoke an immediate reply. What happens,
then, to the incident energy? It is not really lost, for these particular plant-
tissues have the power of shortage. In this way, energy derived in various
ways from without—as light, warmth, food, and so on—is constantly being
accumulated, when a certain point is reached, there is an overflow, and we
call this overflow spontaneous movement. Thus what we call automatic is
really an overflow of what has previously been stored up. When this
accumulated energy is exhausted, then there is also an end of spontaneous
movements. By abstracting its stored-up heat—through the application of
cold water—we can bring to a stop the automatic pulsations of Desmodium.

But on allowing a first accession of heat from outside, these pulsations are
gradually restored.

In the matter of these so-called spontaneous activities of the plant, I find
that there are two distinct types. In one, the overflow is initiated with very
little storage, but here the unusual display of activity soon comes to a stop.
To maintain such specimens in the rhythmic condition, constant stimulation
from outside is necessary. Plants of this type are extremely dependent on
outside influences, and when such sources of stimulus are removed, they
speedily come to an inglorious stop. Kamranga or Averrhoa is an example
of this kind. In the second type of automatic plant activity I find that long
continued storage is required, before an overflow can begin. But in this
case, the spontaneous outburst is persistent and of long duration, even when
the plant is deprived of any immediately exciting cause. These, therefore,
are not so obviously dependent as the others on the sunshine of the world.
Our telegraph-plant, Desmodium or Bon charal, is an example of this.

It appears to me that we have here a suggestive parallel to certain
phenomena with which this audience will surely prove more familiar than I,
namely, the facts of literary inspiration. For the attainment of this exalted
condition, also, is it not necessary to have previous storage, with a
consequent bubbling overflow? Certain indications incline me to suspect
that perhaps in this also we have an example of so-called spontaneity, or
automatic responsiveness. If this be so, aspirants, to the condition might
well be asked to decide in whose footsteps they will choose to tread—those
of Kamranga, with its dependence on outside influences, and inevitably
ephemeral activity, or those of Bon charal, with its characteristic of patient
long enduring accumulation of forces, to find uninterrupted and sustained
expression.

THE PLANT'S RESPONSE TO THE SHOCK OF DEATH

A time comes when, after one answer to a supreme shock, there is a
sudden end of the plant's power to give any response. This supreme shock is
the shock of death. Even in this crisis, there is no immediate change in the

placid appearance of the plant. Drooping and withering are events that
occur long after death itself. How does the plant then, give this last answer?
In man, at the critical moment, a spasm passes through the whole body, and
similarly in the plant, I find that a great contractile spasm takes place. This
is accompanied by an electrical spasm also. In the script of the Morograph,
or Death recorder, the line that up to this point was being drawn, becomes
suddenly reversed, and then ends. This is the last answer of the plant.

These are mute companions, silently, growing beside our door, have
now told us the tale of their life-tremulousness and their death spasm, in
script that is as inarticulate as they. May it not be said that this their story
has a pathos of its own, beyond any that the poets have conceived?

PROF. J. C. BOSE AT MAYAVATI
MARVELS OF PLANT LIFE

On the 8th June 1912, Dr J. C. Bose, who had gone to Advaita Ashrama,
Mayavati, on a holiday trip, gave an illuminating discourse on the marvels
of plant life.

He began by stating that a stimulus takes a certain time before it gets a
response. This stimulus may be of different forms, e.g., it may be a sound
stimulus, a light stimulus, an electric stimulus, and so on. The feebler the
stimulus, the greater is the time it takes to elicit the response. For instance if
one is called by a distant voice, one doubts whether he has been called at
all, but in the case of a piercing scream, he starts up at once.

Now, the difficulty is that when the stimulus, the blow, is so strong as to
get an instantaneous response, how is one to measure this infinitesimal time
between the blow and the response? And this must be done absolutely free
from any personal interference, so as to ensure correct results.

Dr. Bose here described how after deep thought and careful experiments
and researches of several years he invented and manufactured a highly

sensitive instrument which could automatically record the "response time"
of a plant even to one thousandth part of a second. And in order to convey a
graphic idea of the principles under which it worked, he had even made by
means of a few simple things a crude form of his instrument, which helped
the audience to form a clear idea of how a shock given to a plant which was
experimented upon, would be recorded automatically by the apparatus by
means of dots on its writing pad, and also how to ascertain the exact time
each plant took to respond to the stimulus received. Thus the plant now
records its own history unerringly by its own hand as it were. And that the
same results are obtained each time the experiment is repeated under similar
conditions, shows that this recording of the response time is a scientific
phenomenon.

As an example of the similarities of reactions in plant and animal, Prof.
Bose described the rhythmic activities of certain plants, in which automatic
pulsations are maintained as in the animal heart. This phenomenon is
exemplified by the Telegraph plant, which grows wild in the Gangetic
plane; its Indian name is Bon charal or 'forest churl', the popular belief
being that it dances to the clapping of the hand. There is no foundation
however for this belief. It is a papilionaceous plant with trifoliate leaves, of
which the terminal leaflet is large, and the two lateral, very small. Each of
these is inserted on the petiole by means of pulvinule. The lateral leaflets
are seen to execute pulsating movements which are apparently uncaused,
and are not unlike the rhythmic movement of the heart to which we shall
see later that their resemblance is more than superficial.

In the intact plant, under favourable conditions, these movements are
easily observed to take place more or less continuously; but there are times
when they come to a standstill. For this reason and because of the fact that a
large plant cannot easily be manipulated as a whole and subjected to various
changing conditions which the purpose of the investigation demands, it is
desirable, if possible, to experiment with the detached petiole, carrying the
pulsating leaflet. The required amputation however may be followed by
arrest of the pulsating movements. But, as in the case of the isolated heart in
a state of standstill, Dr. Bose found that the movement of the leaflet can be
renewed, in the detached specimen, by the application of the internal

hydrostatic pressure. Under these conditions, the rhythmic pulsations are
easily maintained uniform for several hours. This is a great advantage, in as
much as in the undetached specimen, the pulsations are not usually found to
be so regular as they now become. So small a specimen, again, can easily
be subjected to changing experimental conditions, such as the variation of
internal hydrostatic pressure and temperature, application of different drugs,
vapours and gases.

Under varying conditions the same plant has been observed to take
different response times, as for instance, less in heat than in cold, less in
summer than in winter, less in the morning than in the evening, and so
forth. Again, different plants have different response times.

It is a remarkable fact that the mimosa is ten times as sensitive as a frog
in giving the response. And the native idea that plants are of a lower order
than animal life will cost many a sad disappointment.

In the course of his lecture Dr. Bose spoke of some of his startling
discoveries recently made.... The lecturer gave quite a spiritual turn to his
discourse as he finished it with the remark that, as it has been the earnest
endeavour of scientists to minimise material friction in order to get the best
results, so in our human concerns, it should be our best aim to minimise
friction,—which is, Ignorance.

—Modern Review, Vol. XII, pages 314-315.

PLANT AUTOGRAPHS
HOW PLANTS CAN RECORD THEIR OWN STORY

Under the presidency of His Excellency Lord Carmichael, Prof. J. C.
Bose delivered on Friday, the 17th January 1913 an interesting address on
his recent researches at the Physical Laboratory of the Presidency College,
Calcutta, his subject being "Plant Autographs."

Professor Bose has been long engaged in researches on the "Irritability
of Plants," with results of great interest. These results have been made
possible by the invention of a series of instruments of extraordinary
precision and delicacy. Some of Professor Bose's instruments measure and
record a thousandth of a second. Invisible movements in plants, hitherto
beyond human scrutiny, have been brought within the range of immediate
perception through the wonderful devices shown by the lecturer's
demonstration of same on the screen.

Among those present were:—Sir William and Lady Duke, the Maharaja
of Nashipur, Sir Gurudas Bannerjee, Sir Chundra Madhab Ghose, Sir
Lawrence and Lady Jenkins, Sir Richard Harington, Hon. Mr. P. C. Lyon,
Mr. Justice Holmwood, Mr. Justice Chaudhuri, Hon. Mr. S. L. Maddox,
Maharaja of Cossimbazar, Hon. Dr. Kuchler, Mr. Bhupendra Nath Basu,
Hon. Mr. E. W. Collin, Mr. W. Graham, Mr. Fraser Blair, Hon. Mr. B.
Chuckerbutty, Hon. Mr. J. G. Apcar, Hon. Mr. B. C. Mitter, Hon. Rai Radha
Charan Pal Bahadur, Hon. Dr. D. P. Sarbadhikari, Mr. and Mrs. Williams,
Mr. L. P. E. Pugh, Mr. Lanford James, Dr. P. K. Roy, Khan Bahadur
Moulvie Mahomed Yusuf, Rai Bahadur Dr. Chunilal Bose, Mr. W. J.
Simmons, Mr. and Mrs. J. H. Hechle, Principal H. R. James and Mrs.
James, Mr. T. J. Waite, Dr. P. C. Roy and Rai P. N. Mukherji Bahadur.

His Excellency, as President, called upon Dr. Bose to deliver his lecture.

Professor Bose commenced with a reference to the claims made by
those who profess to discriminate character by handwriting. As to the
authenticity of such claims, scepticism was permissible; but there was no
doubt that one's handwriting might be modified profoundly by conditions,
physical and mental. There still existed, at Hatfield House, documents
which contained the signature of the historical Guy Fawkes. A photograph
projected on the screen showed a sinister variation in those signatures. The
crabbed and distorted characters of the last words which Guy Fawkes wrote
on earth told their own tale of that fateful night. Such was the tale that
might be unfolded by the lines and curves of a human autograph. Could
plants be made similarly to write their own autographs revealing their
hidden story? Storm and sunshine, the warmth of summer and the frost of

winter, drought and rain, would come and go about the plants. What subtle
impress did they leave behind? How were the invisible, internal changes to
be made externally visible?

AUTOMATIC RECORDERS

The lecturer had succeeded in devising experimental methods and
apparatus by which the plant was made to give an answering signal, which
was then automatically recorded into an intelligible script. The results of the
new investigations were so novel that Professor Bose spent several years in
perfecting automatic instruments which completely eliminated all personal
equations. The plant attached to the recording apparatus was automatically
excited by a stimulus absolutely constant, making its own responsive
records, going through its period of recovery, and embarking on the same
cycle over again without assistance at any point from the observer. The
most sensitive organ for perception of a stimulus was the human tongue. An
average European could by his tongue detect an electrical current as feeble
as six micro-amperes, a micro-ampere being a millionth part of a unit of
electrical current. Professor Bose found that his Hindu peoples could detect
a much feebler current, namely, 1.5 micro-amperes. It was an open question
whether such a high excitability of the tongue was to be claimed as a
distinct advantage. But the fact might explain the eminence of his
countrymen in forensic domains! (Laughter.) The plant, when tested, was
found to be ten times more sensitive than a human being.

EFFECT OF FOOD AND DRUGS

It was shown that when the plant had a surfeit of drink, it became
excessively lethargic and irresponsive. By extracting fluid from the gorged
plant, its motor activity was at once re-established. Under alcohol its
responsive script became ludicrously unsteady. A scientific superstition
existed regarding carbonic acid as being good for a plant. But Professor
Bose's experiments showed distinctly that the gas would suffocate the plant
as readily as it did the animal. Only in the presence of sunlight could the
effect be modified by secondary reaction.

AUTOMATISM AND GROWTH

It was impossible in a limited space, said Professor Bose, to do more
than mention the numerous other remarkable experiments which riveted the
attention of the audience. By means of apparatus specially devised,
pulsative plants were made to record their rhythmic throbbings. It was
shown that the pulse beats of the plants were affected by the action of
various drugs, and divers stimuli, in a manner similar to that of the animal
heart. Perhaps the most weird experience was to watch the death-struggle of
a plant under the action of poison. Turning from death to its antithesis life
and growth, the audience were shown how the latter was made visible by
means of the appliances invented by Professor Bose. The infinitesimal
growth of a plant became highly magnified in the experiment.

RESEARCHES AT PRESIDENCY COLLEGE

When the lecturer commenced his investigations, original research in
India was regarded as an impossibility. No proper laboratory existed, nor
was there any scientific manufactory for the construction of a special
apparatus. In spite of these difficulties it had been a matter of gratification
to the lecturer that the various investigations already carried out at the
Presidency College had done something for the advancement of knowledge.
The delicate instruments seen in operation at the lecture, which had been
regarded with admiration by many distinguished scientific men in the West,
were all constructed at the College workshops by Indian mechanics.

It was also with pride that the lecturer referred to the co-operation of his
pupils and assistants, through whose help the extensive works, requiring
ceaseless labour by day and night, had been accomplished. Doubt had been
cast on the capacity of Indian students in the field of science. From his
personal experience Professor Bose bore testimony to their special fitness in
this respect. An intellectual hunger had been created by the spread of
education. An Indian student demanded something absorbing to think about
and to give scope for his latent energies. If this could be done, he would
betake himself ardently to research into Nature, which could never end.

There was room for such toilers who by incessant work would extend the
bounds of human knowledge.

FROM PLANT TO ANIMAL LIFE

Before concluding the lecturer dwelt on the fact that all the varied and
complex responses of the animal had been foreshadowed in the plant. The
phenomena of life in the plant were thus not so remote as had been hitherto
supposed. The plant world, like the animal, was a thrill and a throb with
responsiveness to all the stimuli which fell upon it. Thus, community
throughout the great ocean of life, in all its different forms, outweighed
apparent dissimilarity. Diversity was swallowed up in unity.

—Amrita Bazar Patrika, 20-1-1913.

INVISIBLE LIGHT

A most instructive and interesting lecture was delivered on Thursday,
the 30th Jaunuary, 1913, at the Calcutta University Institute Hall, by Dr. J.
C. Bose, on the above subject. It was illustrated with experiments and in
spite of the technical nature of the subject, the manner of treatment made
the discourse extremely palatable and easy of apprehension to the lay
understanding and intelligence. The truths of science could seldom be
exposed so light-heartedly and in language leavened with balmy humour.
The lecture was very largely attended by ladies and gentlemen, European
and Indian, representing the light and leading of the city. The chair was
taken by Mr. W. R. Gourlay. Amongst those present we noticed the Hon.
Mr. Ramsay McDonald, Mr. Justice Harington, Mr. Justice Chaudhuri,
Hon'ble Mr. Gokhale, Hon'ble Mr. Lyon, Hon'ble Mr. D. N. Sarvadhikari,
Sir Gurudas Banerji, Hon'ble Mr. Apcar and Dr. Chuni Lal Bose Rai
Bahadur.

The Chairman, in a few well chosen words introduced the lecturer.

Professor Bose in going to deliver his highly interesting lecture first
showed how on account of the imperfection of our senses we fail to detect
various forces which play around us. We are not only deaf, but practically
blind. While we perceive eleven octaves of sound, we can see only a single
octave of other vibration which is called light. In order to detect the
invisible light a special detector has to be devised. Prof. Bose showed his
artificial retina previously exhibited at the Royal Institution which not only
detected luminous radiation but also invisible lights in the intra red and
ultra violet regions. In the course of his remarks illustrating the nature of
electric or Hertzian waves, which gave rise to the invisible radiation he
proceeded to enumerate some of the conditions necessary for experimenting
with them, and to describe the apparatus he had invented for the purpose.
Hertz had used waves which were about 10 metres in length. It was
impossible to attempt any quantitative measurement of their optical
properties on account of large waves curling round corners. The lecturer
had succeeded in producing the shortest waves, with frequency of 50,000
millions of vibrations per second, the particular invisible radiation being
only thirteen octaves below visible light. His generator produced the small
sharp beam which alone could be employed for quantitative measurements.
By means of this apparatus experiments on electric radiation could be
carried on with as much certainty as could experiments with ordinary light.
Prof. Bose then performed experiments illustrative of the properties
possessed in common by light waves and electric waves. He exhibited the
power of selective absorption to electric rays displayed by many substances
pointing out that while water stopped them, pitch, coal tar, and others were
quite transparent to them. He showed how the rays were reflected by
mirrors, obeying the same laws as light. The hand of the experimenter was
found to be a good reflector, the rays rebounding after impact. Electric rays
also undergo refraction and he described an ingenious method he had
devised by which the index of refraction of numerous opaque substances
could be obtained with the highest exactitude. In conclusion he gave an
account of his discovery of the polarisation of electric rays by crystals. He
showed that these polarised the electric rays just as they did ordinary light.
He further proved that substances under pressure and strain could produce
double refraction in them, as did glass under the same conditions in light.
Tourmaline was useless for electric rays; but a lock of human hair was

extraordinarily efficient. According to this theoretical prediction, an
ordinary book was shown to exhibit selective absorption in a striking
manner. Thus while the Calcutta University Calendar was, usually, very
opaque, it became quite transparent when held in a particular direction as
regards the impinging ray.

Mr. Gourlay observed that the lecture opened out to himself, as well as
to other vistas, which they had never dreamt of before.

—Amrita Bazar Patrika, 31-1-1913.

PROFESSOR J. C. BOSE AT LAHORE
LECTURE ON ELECTRIC RADIATION

A crowded assembly met at the University Hall, on the 22nd February,
1913, to hear the first of Prof. Bose's discourses before the University of
Lahore.

Dr. Bose opened his address by alluding to the historic journey of
Jivaka, who afterwards became the physician of Buddha, making his way
from Bengal to the University of Taxila, in quest of knowledge. Twenty-five
centuries had gone by and there was before them another pilgrim who had
journeyed the same distance to bring, as an offering what he had gathered in
the domain of knowledge.

The lecturer called attention to the fact that knowledge was never the
exclusive possession of any particular race nor did it ever recognise
geograpahical geographical limitations. The whole world was
interdependent, and a constant interchange of thought had been carried on
throughout the ages enriching the common heritage of mankind. Hellenistic
Greeks and Eastern Aryans had met here in Taxila to exchange the best each
had to offer. After many centuries the East and West had met once more,
and it would be the test of the real greatness of the two civilisations that

both should be finer and better for the shock of contact. The apparent
dormancy of intellectual life in India had been only a temporary phase. Just
like the oscillations of the seasons found the globe, great pulsations of
intellectual activity pass over the different peoples of the earth.

With the coming of the spring the dormant life springs forth; similarly
the life that India conserves, by inheritance, culture and temperament, was
only latent and was again ready to spring forth into the blossom and fruit of
knowledge. Although science was neither of the East nor of the West, but
international in its universality, certain aspect of it gained richness of colour
by reason of their place of origin. India, perhaps through its habit of
synthesis, was apt to realise instinctively the idea of unity and to see in the
phenomenal world an universe instead of a multiverse. It was this tendency,
the lecturer thought, which had led Indian physicist, like himself, when
studying the effect of forces on matter to find boundary lines vanishing, and
to see points of contact emerge between the realms of the living and non-
living. In taking up the subject of the evening's discourse on electric
radiation of Hertzian waves, the lecturer explained the constitution of the
apparatus which he had devised for an exhaustive study of the properties of
electric waves. His apparatus permitted experiments with the electric rays to
be carried on with as much certainty as experiments with ordinary light, and
he demonstrated the identity of electric radiation and light. The electric rays
are reflected from plane and curved mirrors in the same way and subject to
the same laws. Electric rays, like rays of light are refracted. Like race of
light too, electric waves can be selectively stopped by various substances,
which are "electrically" coloured. Water which is a conductor of electricity
stops the electric ray; where as liquid air which is a non-conductor is quite
transparent to the rays.

Finally Professor Bose explained his discovery of Polarisation of these
rays by various crystals. Tourmaline, which was a good polariser for
ordinary light, was not so effective. The lecturer discovered that the crystal
Nemalite possessed the power of polarising the electric rays in the most
perfect manner. Professor Bose also explained how the internal constitution
of an opaque mass was revealed by the help of light which was itself
invisible.

The lecturer concluded his discourse by drawing attention to the
limitations of human perception. Man's power of hearing was confirmed to
eleven octaves of sound notes. In the case of vision the limitation was far
more serious, his power of sight extending only through a single octave of
those ether waves which constituted light. These ether vibrations of various
frequencies could be maintained by electrical means. By pressing the stop
button of the apparatus which was exhibited, ether vibrations, 50,000
millions per second, were produced. A second stop gave rise to a different
vibration. Let his audience imagine a large electric organ provided with an
infinite number of stops, each stop giving rise to a particular ether note. Let
the lowest stop produce one vibration a second. They should then get a
gigantic wave of 186,000 miles long. Let the next stop give rise to two
vibrations in a second, and let each succeeding stop produce higher and
higher notes. Let them imagine an unseen hand pressing the different stops
in rapid succession, producing higher and higher notes. The ether note
would thus rise in frequency from one vibration in a second, to tens, to
hundreds, to thousands, to hundreds of thousands, to millions, to millions of
millions! While the ethereal sea in which they were all immersed were
being thus agitated by these multitudinous waves, they would remain
entirely unaffected, for they possessed no organs of perception, to respond
to these waves.

As the ether note rose still higher in pitch, they would for a brief
moment perceive a sensation of warmth. This would be the case when the
ether vibration reached a frequency of several billions of times in a second.
As the note rose still higher, their eyes would begin to be affected, a red
glimmer of light being the first to make its appearance. From this point the
few visible colours would be comprised within a single octave of vibration
—from 400 to 800 billions in one second. As the frequency of vibration
rose still higher their organs of perception would fail them completely; a
great gap in their consciousness would obliterate the rest. The brief flash of
light would be succeeded by unbroken darkness. How circumscribed was
their knowledge? In reality they stood in the midst of a luminous ocean
almost blind! The little they could see was as nothing compared to the
vastness of that which they could not. But it may be said that, out of the
very imperfection of his senses, man has been able, in science, to build for

himself a raft of thought by which to make daring adventure on the great
seas of the unknown.

—Amrita Bazar Patrika, 24-2-1913.

DR. BOSE IN LAHORE
PLANT RESPONSE

In his third lecture delivered, on the 25th February 1913, at the Punjab
University Hall, Dr. Bose of Calcutta dealt with "Plant Response." He said:
—

In strong contrast to the energetic animal, with its various reflex
movements and pulsating organs, stands the plant, in its apparent placidity
and immobility. Yet that same environment which with its changing
influences affects the animal is playing upon it also. Storm and sunshine,
the warmth of summer and the frost of winter, drought and rain, all these
come and go about it. What coercion do they exercise upon it? What subtle
impress do they leave behind? These internal changes are entirely beyond
our visual scrutiny. Is it possible in any way to have these revealed to us?
Dr. Bose had shown the possibility of this by detecting and measuring the
actual response of the organism to a questioning shock. In an excitable
condition the feeblest stimulus should evoke in the plant an extraordinarily
large reply in a depressed state even a strong stimulus would only call forth
a feeble response; and lastly, when death overcome life, there would be an
abrupt end of the power to answer to all. By the invention of different types
of apparatus, the lecturer had succeeded in making the plant itself write an
answering script to a testing stimulus. Scripts could also be obtained of the
plant's spontaneous movements; and a recording arm demarcated the line of
life from that of death.

In taking the self-made records made by the plant it was found that after
the prolonged inactivity of a cold night the plant was apt to be lethargic, and
its first answers indistinct. But as blow after blow was delivered, the
lethargy passed off, and the replies became stronger and stronger. After the
fatigue of the day, the state of things was reversed. The plant became very
lethargic after excessive absorption of food; but the normal activity might
be restored by artificial removal of the excess. The effect of alcohol and of
various narcotics were clearly followed in the modification of the automatic
record made by the plant.

A prevailing scientific error had overcome in life, there would be an
abrupt end regarding a certain class of plants to be alone sensitive. The
lecturer showed by certain remarkable experiments that all plants and all
organs of plants were sensitive.

In certain animal tissues, a very curious phenomenon was observed. In
man and other animals there were tissues which beat spontaneously. As
long as life lasted, so long did the heart continue to pulsate. There could be
no effect without a cause. How then was it that these pulsations became
spontaneous? To this query, no satisfactory answer had been forthcoming.
Similar spontaneous movements were also observable in plant tissues, and
by their investigation the secret of automatism in the animal world became
unravelled. The existence of these spontaneous movements could easily be
demonstrated by means of the Indian "Bon Charal", the telegraph plant,
whose small leaflets danced continuously up and down. The popular belief
that they danced in response to the clappings of the hand was quite
erroneous. From the readings of the scripts made by this plant, the lecturer
was in a position to state that the automatic movements of both plants and
animals were guided by laws which were identical. Thus in the rhythmic
tissues of the plant and the animal the pulsation frequency was increased
under the action of warmth and lessened under cold, increased frequency
being attended by diminution of amplitude, and "vice versa". Under ether,
there was a temporary arrest, revival being possible when the vapour was
blown off. More fatal was the effect of chloroform. The most extraordinary
parallelism, however, lay in the fact that those poisons which arrested the
beat of the heart in a particular way arrested the plant pulsation in a

corresponding manner. The lecturer had succeeded in reviving a leaflet
poisoned by the application of one with a dose of counteracting poison.

A time came when after one answer to a supreme shock there was a
sudden end of the plant's power to give any response. This supreme shock
was the shock of death. Even in this crisis, there was no immediate change
in the placid appearance of the plant. In man at the critical moment, a spasm
passed through the whole body, and similarly in the plant the lecturer had
discovered that a great contractile spasm took place. This was accompanied
by an electrical spasm also. In the script of the death recorder the line that
up to this point was being drawn became suddenly reversed, and then
ended. This was the last answer of the plants.

Thus the responsiveness of the plant world was one. There was no
difference of any kind between sunshine plants, and those which had
hitherto been regarded as insensitive or ordinary. It had also been shown
that all the varied and complex responses of the animal were foreshadowed
in the plant. An impressive spectacle was thus revealed of that vast unity in
which all living organisms, from the simplest plant to the highest animal,
were linked together and made one.

—Amrita Bazar Patrika, 5-3-1913.

EVIDENCE BEFORE THE PUBLIC SERVICES
COMMISSION
The following is the evidence given by Dr. J. C. Bose, C. S. I., C. I. E.,
Professor of Physics, Presidency College, Calcutta, on the 18th December,
1913, before the Royal Commission on the Public Services in India,
presided over by Lord Islington, and published, in the Minutes of Evidence
relating to the Education Department, at pages 135 to 137, in volume XX,
Appendix to the Report of the Commissioners:

WRITTEN STATEMENT RELATING TO THE EDUCATION
DEPARTMENT

83, 627 (I) Method of recruitment.—The first question on which I have
been asked to give my opinion is as regards the method of recruitment. I
think that a high standard of scholarship should be the only qualification
insisted on. Graduates of well-known Universities, distinguished for a
particular line of study, should be given the preference. I think the prospects
of the Indian Educational Service are sufficiently high to attract the very
best material. In colonial Universities they manage to get very distinguished
men without any extravagantly high pay. Possibly the present departmental
method of election does not admit of sufficiently wide publicity of notice to
attract the best candidates.

83, 628 (II) System of training and probation.—As regards probation
and training, Educational officers should first win a reputation as good
teachers before the appointment is confirmed as they are transferred to
important colleges.

83, 629 (IV) Conditions of Salary.—As regards conditions of Salary, the
pay should be moderately high, but not extravagant, and settled once for all
under some simple and well-defined rules. It is not only very humiliating
but degrading to a true scholar to be scrambling for money. The difference
between the pay of the higher and lower services should be minimised.

83, 630 (VI) Conditions of pension.—With reference to pension, I think
it is very unfair that more favourable terms are offered, when the pensioner
elects to retire in England.

83, 631 (VII) Such limitations as exist in the employment of non-
Europeans.—Passing on to the question of limitations that exist in the
employment of Indians in the higher service, I should like to give
expression to an injustice which is very keenly felt. It is unfortunate that
Indian graduates of European Universities who have distinguished
themselves in a remarkable manner do not for one reason or other find
facilities for entering the higher Educational Service.

As teachers and workers it is an incontestable fact that Indian officers
have distinguished themselves very highly, and anything which
discriminates between Europeans and Indians in the way of pay and
prospects is most undesirable. A sense of injustice is ill-calculated to bring
about that harmony which is so necessary among all the members of an
educational institution, professors and students alike.

83, 632 (VIII) Relations of the service with the Indian Civil Service and
with other services.—As regards the relations with the Indian Civil Service,
I am under the impression that they are somewhat strained, but of this I
have no personal experience.

83, 633 (IX) Other points.—I have endeavoured to give my opinion on
the definite questions which have been asked. There is another aspect of
educational work in India which I think of the highest importance, though I
am not exactly sure whether it falls within the terms of reference to the
Royal Commission. I think that all the machinery to improve the higher
education in India would be altogether ineffectual unless India enters the
world movement for the advancement of knowledge. And for this it is
absolutely necessary to touch the imagination of the people so as to rouse
them to give their best energies to the work of research and discovery, in
which all the nations of the world are now engaged. To aim at anything less
will only end in a lifeless and mechanical system from which the soul of
reality has passed away. On this subject I could have said much, but I will
confine myself to one point which I think at the present juncture to be of
importance. The Government of Bengal has been foremost in a tentative
way in encouraging research. What is necessary is the extension and
continuity of this enlightened policy.

83, 634. Supplementary Note.—I would like to add a few remarks to
make the meaning of paragraphs 83, 627 and 83, 631 in my note more
explicit.

At the present recruitment in the Indian Educational Service is made in
England and is practically confined to Englishmen. Such racial preference
is in my opinion, prejudicial to the interest of education. The best man

available, English or Indian should be selected impartially, and high
scholarship should be the only test.

It has been said that the present standard of Indian Universities is not as
high as that of British Universities, and that the work done by the former is
more like that of a sixth form of public schools in England. It is therefore
urged that what is required for an Educational officer is the capacity to
manage classes rather than high scholarship. I do not agree with these
views: (1) there are Universities in Great Britain whose standards are not
higher than ours; I do not think that the Pass Degree even of Oxford or
Cambridge is higher than the corresponding degree here; (2) the standard of
the Indian Universities is being steadily raised; (3) the standard will depend
upon what the men entrusted with Educational work will make it. For these
reasons it is necessary that the level of scholarship represented by the
Indian Educational Service should be maintained very high.

In paragraph 83,631 I have stated that even these Indians who have
distinguished themselves in European Universities have little chance of
entering the higher Educational Service. I should like to add that these
highly qualified Indians need only opportunities to render service which
would greatly advance the cause of higher education. As regards graduates
of Indian Universities, I have known men among them whose works have
been highly appreciated. If promising Indian graduates are given the
opportunity of visiting foreign Universities, I have no doubt that they would
stand comparison with the best recruits that can be obtained from the West.

DR. J. C. BOSE CALLED AND EXAMINED

83,635. (Chairman). The witness favoured an arrangement by which
Indians would enter the higher ranks of the service, either through the
Provincial Service or by direct recruitment in India. The latter class of
officers, after completing their education in India, should ordinarily go to
Europe with a view to widening their experience. By this he did not wish to
decry the training given in the Indian Universities, which produced some of
the very best men, and he would not make the rule absolute. It was not

necessary for men of exceptional ability to go to England in order to occupy
a high chair. Unfortunately, on account of there being no openings for men
of genius in the Educational Service, distinguished men were driven to the
profession of Law. In the present condition of India a larger number of
distinguished men were needed to give their lives to the education of the
people.

83,636. The witness himself had spent part of his career in Europe, and
looking back he could say that this had been of great profit to him, not so
much on account of the training he got, as by being brought into personal
contact with eminent men whose influence extorted his admiration, and
create in him a feeling of emulation. In this way he owed a great deal to
Lord Rayleigh under whom he worked, but he did not see why that
advantage should not eventually be secured by Indians in India under an
Indian Lord Rayleigh.

83,637. There should be only one Educational Service, but men who
were distinguished in any subject should not start from its very lowest rung
but should be placed somewhere in the middle of it.

83,638. There were men in the Provincial Service who were very
distinguished; it was all a question of genius. The Educational Service
ought to be regarded not as a profession, but as a calling. Some men were
born to be teachers. It was not a question of race, of course; in order to have
an efficient educational system, there must be an efficient organisation, but
this should not be allowed to become fossilised, and thus stand in the way
of healthy growth.

83,639. In the Presidency College a young man fresh from an English
university was at once appointed a Professor regardless of his lack of
experience, whereas an Indian who passed in highest examination with
honours in India was appointed as an Assistant Professor. This grounding
often made him more efficient as a teacher than the Professor recruited from
England. There were now several Professors in the college, in the
Provincial Service, who were highly qualified, and who lectured to the
highest classes with very great success.

83,640. In the Physics Department he had under his direction several
Assistants who were so well qualified that they were allowed to give
lectures to several classes. These Assistants, after their experience at the
Presidency College, would be best fitted to become Professors in the
mofussil at Colleges. He would like to see them promoted to the higher
service after they had had experience. But before he gave them the highest
positions, he would make it compulsory for them to go to Europe.

83,641. A proportion of Europeans in the service was needed, but only
as experts and not as ordinary teachers. Only the very best men should be
obtained from Europe, and for exceptional cases. The general educational
work should be done entirely by Indians, who understood the difficulties of
the country much better than any outsider.

83,642. He advocated the direct recruitment of Indians in India by the
local government in consultation with the Secretary of State, rather than by
the Secretary of State alone. Indians were under a great difficulty, in that
they could not remain indefinitely in England after taking their degrees and
being away from the place of recruitment their claims were overlooked.

83,643. There was no reason why a European should be paid a higher
rate of salary than an Indian on account of the distance he came. An Indian
felt a sense of inferiority if a difference was made as regards pay. The very
slight saving which government made by differentiating between the two
did not compensate for the feeling of wrong done. This feeling would
remain even if the pay was the same, but an additional grant in the shape of
a foreign service allowance was made to Europeans. All workers in the field
of education should feel a sense of solidarity, because they were all serving
one great cause, namely, education.

83,644. The term "professor", as at present used in India, was
undoubtedly a comprehensive one, but it was equally comprehensive in the
West.

83,645. (Sir Murray Hammick). The witness did not wish to recruit
definite proportions of the service in England and in India respectively. He

would for various reasons prefer a large number of Indians engaged in
education.

83,646. Even in Calcutta he would not make any difference between the
pay of the Indian and the pay of the European.

83,647. (Sir Valentine Chirol). The witness attached great value to the
influence of the teacher upon the student in the earlier stages of his
education, and it was in these stages that that influence could best be
exercised. At the same time he desired to limit the appointment of non-
Indians to men of very great distinction.

83,648. If a foreign professor would not come and serve in India for the
same remuneration as he obtained in his own country, the witness would
certainly not force him to come.

83,649. (Mr. Abdur Rahim). Recruitment for the Educational Service
should be made in the first place in India, if suitable men were available;
but if not then he would allow the best outsiders to be brought in. In the
present state of the country it would be very easy to fill up many of the
chairs by selecting the best men in India.

83,650. The aim of the universities should be to promote two classes of
work—first, research; and secondly, an all-round sound education. Men of
different types would be required for these two duties.

83,651. (Mr. Madge). Any idea that the educational system of India was
so far inferior to that of England, that Indians, who had made their mark,
had done so, not because of the educational system of the country, but in
spite of it, was quite unfounded. The standard of education prevailing in
India was quite up to the mark of several British universities. It was as true
of any other country in the world as of India that education was valued as a
means for passing examinations, and not only for itself, and there was no
more cramming in India than elsewhere.

83,652. The West certainly brought to the East a modern spirit, which
was very valuable, but it would be dearly purchased by the loss of an

honorable career for competent Indians in their own country.

83,653. The educational system in India had in the past been too
mechanical, but a turn for the better was now taking place and the
universities were recognising the importance of research work, and were
willing to give their highest degrees to encourage it.

83,654. (Mr. Macdonald). The witness did not think it was necessary to
have a non-Indian element in the service in order to stiffen it up, but he
accepted the principle that there should be a certain small proportion of
non-Indians.

83,655. The title of professor at a college or University should carry
with it dignity and honour, and ought not to be so freely used as at present.
All he asked was that it should not be abolished at the expense of such
Indians as were doing as good work as their European colleagues.

83,656. If the Calcutta university continued to develop its teaching side,
there would be no objection to recruiting University Professors from aided
colleges. This would have certain advantages.

83,657. (Mr. Fisher). The witness desired to secure for India Europeans
who had European reputations in their different branches of study. If it was
necessary to go outside India or England to procure good men, he would
prefer to go to Germany. This was the practice in America where they were
annexing all the great intellects of Europe.

83,658. The witness would like to see India entering the world
movement in the advance and march of knowledge. It was of the highest
importance that there should be an intellectual atmosphere in India. It
would be of advantage if there were many Indians in the Educational
Service. For they came more in contact with the people, and influenced
their intellectual activity. Besides, on retirement they would live in India
and their life experience would be at their countrymen's service.

83,659. There was very little in the complaint made in certain quarters
that the work of the Professors in the colleges in India was hampered by the

Government regulations as to curricula. A good teacher was not troubled by
such matters.

83,660. (Mr. Sly). There was no scope for the employment of non-
Indians in the high schools as apart from the colleges. It was in the
professorial line that more help from the West was required.

83,661. (Mr. Gokhale). The witness knew of three instances in which
the colonies had secured distinguished men on salaries which were lower
than these given to officers of the Indian Educational Service. One was at
Toronto, another was in New Zealand and the third at Yale university. The
salaries on the two latter cases were £600 and £500 a year. The same held
good as regards Japan. The facts there had been stated in a Government of
India publication as follows: "Subsequent to 1895 there were 67 Professors
recruited in Europe and America, of those, 20 came from Germany, 16 from
England and 16 from the United States. The average pay was £384. In the
highest Imperial University the average pay is £684. As soon as Japanese
could be found to do the work, even tolerably well, the foreigner was
dropped."

83,662. When the witness first started work in India, he found that there
was no physical laboratory, or any grant made for a practical experimental
course. He had to construct instruments with the help of local mechanics,
whom he had to train. All this took him ten years. He then undertook
original investigation at his own expense. The Royal Society became
specially interested in his work and desired to give him a Parliamentary
grant for its continuation. It was after this that the Government of Bengal
came forward and offered him facilities for research.

83,663. In the Educational Service he would take men of achievement
from anywhere; but men of promise he would take from his own country.

83,664. (Mr. Chaubal). He did not know whether the salaries he had
mentioned as having been paid in Japan, New Zealand and Yale were on an
incremental scale or not.

83,665. There was a difference of kind between the way in which
students were taught in schools and the way in which they were taught in
colleges. He did not agree with the witnesses who had said that during the
first year or two years at college the instruction given was similar to that
given in a school. It was very difficult to disprove or to prove such
statements. There would be no advantage in keeping boys to a school
course up the intermediate standard and making the colleges deal with only
those students who had passed the intermediate examination.

83,666. (Sir Theodore Morison). There should be one scale of pay for
all persons in the higher educational department. The rate of salary, Rs. 200
rising to Rs. 1,500 per month, was suitable, subject to the proviso that the
man of great distinction, instead of beginning at the lowest rate of pay,
should start some where in the middle of the list, say, at Rs. 400 or Rs. 500.
He would make no reference in regard to Europeans or Indians in that
respect. In effect this no doubt amounted to making Indians eligible for
higher educational posts both by direct recruitment and by promotion.

83,667. He would not favour the handing over of all the Government
institutions in Bengal to private agencies; there must be one or two
Government colleges in order to keep up the standard. He should be sorry
to see the Government dissociating itself from one of its primary duties,
which was education.

83,668. Privately managed Colleges paid less in salary than the
Government Colleges. They paid about the same as was given in the
Provincial Service, and they obtained fairly good men. It would not be right
for a great Government to grant a minimum pay to Indian Professors and an
extravagantly high pay to their European colleagues, for doing the same
kind of work.

83,669. At the Presidency College the facilities for scientific work were
now greater than in many institutions in England. India was now becoming
a great country for Biological research. Again, the Physical and Chemical
Laboratories at the Presidency College were finer than many in England. If
young men of science in England thought they obtained better opportunities

in pursuing their subjects in New Zealand and Toronto than in India, the
India office ought to remove that impression at once.

83,670. (Lord Ronaldshay). When an Indian graduate under the
witnesses' scheme was appointed direct to the higher service in India he
would not compel him to go to England for a period of training. The person
who would be appointed in India directly from the Indian Universities
would have to have previously served with distinction in subordinate
positions; a visit to Europe would be an advantage but not absolutely
necessary.

83,671. (Mr. Biss). The cost of living in Calcutta to an Indian Professor
or Lecturer would all depend as the style in which he lived. In each service
there is always a standard of living to which every member is expected to
conform. An Indian Professor had to go to Europe from time to time to keep
himself in touch with the developments of his subject. An Indian officer had
to support a large number of relations. The question of a man's private
expenses should not be raised in fixing his pay. One might as well inquire
whether the candidate for admission to the service was a bachelor or
married, or as to how many children he had. He had known Europeans who
had led a simple life, and had been all the better for it.

83,672. He could not understand why men went to Japan and Canada
instead of coming to India on better terms. It was a mystery to him. He
thought it was either sheer ignorance or the spread of the commercial spirit.

83,673. All the students coming to his side of the University, were, as a
rule, keen and anxious to learn; he could not wish for better students.

83,674. (Mr. Gupta). He desired one service, because he thought it was
most degrading that certain men, although they were doing the same work,
should be classed in a Provincial Service, while others should be classed in
an Imperial Service. The prospect of the members of the Provincial Service
were not at all what they ought to be, and that was the reason why the best
men were not attracted to it.

PROF. J. C. BOSE AT MADURA

On his way back to Calcutta from the Fourth Scientific Deputation to
the West, Prof. J. C. Bose visited Madura, 14th June 1915. The Tamil
Sangam presented him with an address. In reply Dr. Bose made an
important speech, in course of which he said:—

I am no longer a representative of Bengal nor have I come to a strange
place, but as an Indian addressing the mighty India and her people. When

we realise that unity of our destiny then a great future opens out for us.

It may be we may theorise and attribute to the plants all the
characteristics of the animals; but that will be merely theory: there will be
no proof. There are certain classes of people who think that plants are
utterly unlike animals and some hold that they are like animals. The mere
theory is absolutely worthless in order to find out the truth. We have to find
by investigation, by means of researches, by means of proofs, that one is
identical with the other. We have not only to drop all theory but we have to
make the plant itself write down the answers to the questions that we have
to put to them. That was the great problem,—how to make the plant itself
answer and write down answers to the question....

If the plants are acted on by various medicines and drugs like ourselves,
then we can create an agent or a spokesman on which we can carry out all
future investigations on the action of drugs. Then there is opened out a great
vista for the scientific study of medicine. And let me tell you medicine is
not yet an exact science. It is merely a phase of tradition. We have not been
able to make medicine scientific. Now by the data of the influence of drugs
on the fundamental basis of life, as is seen in the plant, we shall be able to
make the science of medicine purely scientific.

In travelling all over the world, which I have done several times, I was
struck by two great characteristics of different nations. One characteristic of
certain nations is living for the future. All the modern nations are striving to
win force and power from nature. There is another class of men who live on
the glory of the past. Now, what is to be the future of our nation? Are we to
live only on the glory of the past and die off from the face of the earth, to
show that we are worthy descendants of the glorious past and to show by
our work, by our intellect and by our service that we are not a decadent
nation? We have still a great and mighty future before us, a future that will
justify our ancestry. In talking about ancestry, do we ever realise that the
only way in which we can do honour to our past is not to boast of what our
ancestors have done but to carry out in the future something as great, if not
greater than they. Are we to be a living nation, to be proud of our ancestry
and to try to win renown by continuous achievements? These mighty

monuments that I see around me tell us what has been done till very recent
times. I have travelled over some of the greatest ruins of the Universities of
India. I have been to the ruins of the University of Taxilla in the farthest
corner of India which attracted the people of the west and the east. I had
been to the ruins of Nalanda, a University which invited all the west to gain
knowledge under its intellectual fostering. I had been all there and seen
them. I have come here also and want to visit Conjeevaram. But are you to
foster the dead honours or to try to bring back your University in India and
drag once more from the rest of the world people who would come down
and derive knowledge from India? It is in that way and that way alone we
can win our self-respect and make our life and the life of the nation worthy.
The present era is the era of temples of learning. In order to erect temples of
learning we require all the offerings of our mighty people. We want to erect
temples and "viharas" which are so indispensable to the study of nature and
her secrets. It is a problem which appeals to every thoughtful Indian. It is by
the effort of the people and by their generosity that all these mighty temples
arose; and now are we to worship the dead stones or are we to erect living
temples so that the knowledge that has been made in India shall be
perpetuated in India? I received requests from the different Universities in
America and Germany to allow students from those countries to come and
learn the science that has been initiated in India. Now, is this knowledge to
pass beyond our boundaries to that again in future time we may have to go
to the west to get back this knowledge or are we to keep this flame of
learning burning all the time?

(Modern Review, Vol. xviii, p. 22-23).

DR. J. C. BOSE ENTERTAINED
PARTY AT RAM MOHAN LIBRARY

On Saturday, 24th July, 1915, the members of the Ram Mohan Library
and Reading room received Dr. J. C. Bose, the President of the Library in a

right royal fashion, on his return to India from his Scientific Deputation to
the West.

There was a large and influential gathering, and the spacious hall was
tastefully decorated.

Dr. J. C. Bose arrived at 6:15 p.m. and was received at the gate by Mr.
D. N. Pal, Secretary. Dr. Bose then went round the hall accompanied by the
members of the Executive Committee while the Bharati Musical
Association played excellent Jaltaranga Orchestra.

Babu Bhupendra Nath Bose, Vice-President of the Library, made a
brilliant speech welcoming Dr. Bose and detailing the great services done to
the country by him.

DR. BOSE'S REPLY

Dr. Bose in reply expressed his thanks for the great interest shown in
different parts of this country in the success of his work. This was the fourth
occasion on which he had been deputed to the West by the Government of
India on a scientific mission, and the success that has attended his visit to
foreign countries has exceeded all his expectations. In Vienna, in Paris, in
Oxford, Cambridge and London, in Harvard, Washington, Chicago and
Columbia, in Tokio and in many other places his work has uniformly been
received with high appreciation. In spite of the fact that his researches
called into question some of the existing theories, his results have
notwithstanding received the fullest acceptance. This was due to a great
extent to the convincing character of the demonstration afforded by the very
delicate instruments he had been able to invent and which worked under
extremely difficult tests with extraordinary perfection. Even the most
critical savants in Vienna felt themselves constrained to make a most
generous admission. In these new investigations on the border land between
physics and physiology, they held that Europe has been left behind by India,
to which country they would now have to come for inspiration. It has also
been fully recognised that science will derive benefit when the synthetic
intellectual methods of the East co-operate with the severe analytical

methods of the West. These opinions have also been fully endorsed in other
centres of learning and Dr. Bose had received applications from
distinguished Universities in Europe and America for admission of foreign
post graduate scholars to be trained in his Laboratory in the new scientific
methods that have been initiated in India.

RESEARCH LABORATORY FOR INDIA

This recognition that the advance of human knowledge will be
incomplete without India's special contributions, must be a source of great
inspiration for future workers in India. His countrymen had the keen
imagination which could extort truth out of a mass of disconnected facts
and the habit of meditation without allowing the mind to dissipate itself.
Inspired by his visits to the ancient Universities, at Taxila, at Nalanda and at
Conjevaram, Dr. Bose had the strongest confidence that India would soon
see a revival of those glorious traditions. There will soon rise a Temple of
Learning where the teacher cut off from worldly distractions would go on
with his ceaseless pursuit after truth, and dying, hand on his work to his
disciples. Nothing would seem laborious in his inquiry; never is he to lose
sight of his quest, never is he to let it go obscured by any terrestrial
temptation. For he is the Sanyasin spirit, and India is the only country
where so far from there being a conflict between science and religion.
Knowledge is regarded as religion itself. Such a misuse of science as is now
unfortunately in evidence in the West would be impossible here. Had the
conquest of air been achieved in India, her very first impulse would be to
offer worship at every temple for such a manifestation of the divinity in
man.

ECONOMIC DANGER OF INDIA

One of the most interesting events in his tour round the world was his
stay in Japan, where he had ample opportunity of becoming acquainted with
the efforts of the people and their aspirations towards a great future. No one
can help being filled with admiration for what they have achieved. In
materialistic efficiency, which in a mechanical era is regarded as an index

of civilisation, they have even surpassed their German teachers. A few
decades ago they had no foreign shipping and no manufacture. But within
an incredibly short time their magnificent lines of steamers have proved so
formidable a competitor that the great American line in the Pacific will soon
be compelled to stop their sailings. Their industries again, through the wise
help of the State and other adventitious aids are capturing foreign markets.
But far more admirable is their foresight to save their country from any
embroilment with other nations with whom they want to live in peace. And
they realise any predominant interest of a foreign country in their trade or
manufacture is sure to lead to misunderstanding and friction. Actuated by
this idea they have practically excluded all foreign manufactured articles by
prohibitive tariffs.

REVIVAL OF INDIAN INDUSTRIES

Is our country slow to realise the danger that threatens her by the
capture of her market and the total destruction of her industries? Does she
not realise that it is helpless passivity that directly provokes aggression?
Has not the recent happenings in China served as an object lesson? There is,
therefore, no time to be lost and the utmost effort is demanded of the
Government and the people for the revival of our own industries. The
various attempts that have hitherto been made have not been as successful
as the necessity of the case demands. The efforts of the Government and of
the people have hitherto been spasmodic and often worked at cross
purposes. The Government should have an advisory body of Indian
members. There should be some modification of rules as regards selection
of Industrial scholars. Before being sent out to foreign countries they should
be made to study the conditions of manufacture in this country and its
difficulties. For a particular industry there should be a co-ordinated group of
three scholars, two for the industrial and one for the commercial side.
Difficulties would arise in adapting foreign knowledge to Indian conditions.
This can only be overcome by the devoted labour of men of originality, who
have been trained in our future Research Laboratory. The Government
could also materially help (i) by offering facilities for the supply of raw
materials (ii) by offering expert advice (iii) by starting experimental

industries. He had reason to think that the Government is full alive to the
crucial importance of the subject and is determined to take every step
necessary. In this matter the aims of the people and the Government are
one. In facing a common danger and in co-operation there must arise
mutual respect and understanding. And perhaps through the very
catastrophe that is threatening the world there may grow up in India a
realisation of community of interest and solidarity as between Government
and people.

A CALL FOR NOBLER PATRIOTISM

A very serious danger is thus seen to be threatening the future of India,
and to avert it will require the utmost effort of the people. They have not
only to meet the economic crisis but also to protect the ideals of ancient
Aryan civilisation from the destructive forces that are threatening it.
Nothing great can be conserved except through constant effort and sacrifice.
There is a danger of, regarding the mechanical efficiency as the sole end of
life; there is also the opposite danger of a life of dreaming, bereft of
struggle and activity, degenerating into parasitic habits of dependence. Only
through the nobler call of patriotism can our nation realise her highest
ideals in thought and in action; to that call the nation will always respond.
He had the inestimable privilege of winning the intimate friendship of Mr.
G. K. Gokhale. Before leaving England, our foremost Indian statesman
whose loss we so deeply mourn, had come to stay with the speaker for a
few days at Eastbourne. He knew that this was to be their last meeting.
Almost his parting question to Dr. Bose was whether science had anything
to say about future incarnations. For himself, however he was certain that as
soon as he would cast off his worn out frame he was to be born once more
in the country he loved, and bear all the country that may be laid on him in
her service. There can be no doubt that there must be salvation for a country
which can count on sons as devoted as Gopal Krishna Gokhale.

—Amrita Bazar Patrika, 26-7-1915.

HISTORY OF A DISCOVERY
Substance of a Lecture delivered by Prof. J. C. Bose on the 20th
November 1915, at the Ram Mohan Library, under the Presidency of the
Hon'ble Mr. P. C. Lyon, and published at p. 693, Vol. xviii, of the "Modern
Review" (July to December, 1915).

At the tournament held before the court at Hastinapur, more than
twenty-five centuries ago, Karna, the reputed son of a Charioteer, had
challenged the supremacy of Prince Arjuna. To this challenge Arjuna had
returned a scornful answer; a prince could not cross swords with one who
could claim no nobility of descent. "I am my own ancestor," replied Karna,
and this perhaps the earliest assertion of the right of man to choose and
determine his own destiny. In the realm of knowledge also the great
achievements have been won only by men with determined purpose and
without any adventitious aids. Undismayed by human limitations they had
struggled in spite of many a failure. In their inquiry after truth they regarded
nothing as too laborious, nothing too insignificant, nothing too painful. This
is the process which all must follow; there is no easier path.

The lecturer's research on the properties of Electric Waves was begun
just twenty-one years ago. In this he was greatly encouraged by the
appreciation shown by the Royal Society, which not only published his
researches, but also offered a Parliamentary grant for the continuance of his
work. The greatest difficulty lay in the construction of a receiver to detect
invisible ether disturbances. For this a most laborious investigation had to
be undertaken to find the action of electric radiation on all kinds of matter.
As a result of this long and very patient work a new type of receiver was
invented, so perfect in its action that the Electrician suggested its use in
ships and electro-magnetic high houses for the communication and
transmission of danger signals at sea through space. This was in 1895,
several years in advance of the present wireless system. Practical
application of the result of Dr. Bose's investigations appear so important
that Great Britain and the United States granted him patents for his
invention of a certain crystal receiver which proved to be the most sensitive
detector of wireless signals.

UNIVERSAL SENSITIVENESS OF MATTER

In the course of his investigations Dr. Bose found that the uncertainty of
the early type of his receiver was brought on by fatigue, and that the curve
of fatigue of his instrument closely resembled the fatigue curve of animal
muscle. He was soon able to remove the 'tiredness' of his receiver by
application of suitable stimulants; application of certain poisons, on the
other hand, permanently abolished its sensitiveness. Dr. Bose was thus
amazed at the discovery that inorganic matter was anything but inert, but
that its particles were a thrill under the action of multitudinous forces that
were playing on it. The lecturer was at this time constrained to choose
whether to go on with the practical applications of his work, the success of
which appeared to be assured, or to throw himself into a vortex of conflict
for the establishment of some truth the glimmerings of which he was then
but dimly beginning to perceive. It is very curious that the human mind is
sometimes so constituted that it rejects lines of least resistance in favour of
the more difficult path. Dr. Bose chose the more difficult path, and entered
into a phase of activity which was to test all his strength.

CASTE IN SCIENCE

Dr. Bose's discovery of Universal sensitiveness of matter was
communicated to the Royal Society on May 7th, 1901, when he himself
gave a successful experimental demonstration. His communication was,
however, strongly assailed by Sir John Burden-Sanderson, the leading
physiologist, and one or two of his followers. They had nothing to urge
against his experiments but objected to a physicist straying into the preserve
that had been specially reserved for the physiologist. He had unwittingly
strayed into the domain of a new and unfamiliar caste system and offended
its etiquette. In consequence of this opposition his paper, which was already
in print, was not published. This is not by any means to be regarded as an
injustice done to a stranger. Even Lord Rayleigh, who occupies an unique
position in the world of science, was subjected to fierce attacks from the
chemists, because he, a physicist, had ventured to predict that the air would
be found to contain new elements not hitherto discovered.

It is natural that there should be prejudice against all innovations, and
the attitude of Sir John Burden-Sanderson is easily explained.
Unfortunately there was another incident about which similar explanation
could not be urged. Dr. Bose's Paper had been placed in the archives of the
Royal Society, so that technically there was no publication. And it came
about that eight months after the reading of his Paper, another
communication found publication in the Journal of a different society which
was practically the same as Dr. Bose's but without any acknowledgment.
The author of this communication was a gentleman who had previously
opposed him at the Royal Society. The plagiarism was subsequently
discovered and led to much unpleasantness. It is not necessary to refer any
more to the subject except as explanation of the fact that the determined
hostility and misrepresentations of one man succeeded for more than ten
years to bar all avenues of publication for his discoveries. But every cloud
has its silver lining; this incident secured for him many true friends in
England who stood for fair play, and whose friendship has proved to be a
source of great encouragement to him.

FURTHER DIFFICULTIES

Dr. Bose's next work in 1903 was the discovery of the identity of
response and of automatic activity in plant and animal and of the nervous
impulse in plant. These new contributions were regarded as of such great
importance that the Royal Society showed its special appreciation by
recommending it to be published in their Philosophical transactions. But the
same influence which had hitherto stood in his way triumphed once more,
and it was at the very last moment that the publication was withheld. The
Royal Society, however, informed him that his results were of fundamental
importance, but as they were so wholly unexpected and so opposed to the
existing theories, that they would reserve their judgment until, at some
future time, plants themselves could be made to record their answers to
questions put to them. This was interpreted in certain quarters here as the
final rejection of Dr. Bose's theories by the Royal Society, and the limited
facilities which he had in the prosecution of his researches were in danger
of being withdrawn. And everything was dark for him for the next ten years.

The only thought that possessed him was how to make the plant give
testimony by means of its own autograph.

LONG DELAYED SUCCESS

And when the night was at its darkest, light gradually appeared, and
after innumerable difficulties had been overcome his Resonant Recorder
was perfected, which enabled the plant to tell its own story. And in the
meantime something still more wonderful came to pass. Hitherto all gates
had been barred and he had to produce his passports everywhere. He now
found friends who never asked him for credentials. His time had come at
last. The Royal Society found his new methods most convincing and
honoured him by publication of his researches in the Philosophical
transactions. And his discoveries, which had so long remained in obscurity,
found enthusiastic acceptance.

Though his theories had thus received acceptance from the leading
scientific men of the Royal Society, there was yet no general conviction of
the identity of life reactions in plant and animal. No amount of controversy
can remove the tendency of the human mind to follow precedents. The only
thing left was to make the plant itself bear witness before the scientific
bodies in the West, by means of self-records. At the recommendation of the
Minister of Education, and of the Government of Bengal, the Secretary of
State sanctioned his scientific deputation to Europe and America.

JOURNEY OF INDIAN PLANT ROUND THE WORLD

The special difficulty which he had to contend against lay in the fact
that the only time during which the plant flourished at all in the West, was
in the months of July and August, when the Universities and scientific
societies were in vacation. The only thing left was to take the bold step of
carrying growing plants from India and trust to human ingenuity to keep
them alive during the journey. Four plants, two Mimosas and two Telegraph
plants, were taken in a portable box with glass cover, and never let out of
sight. In the Mediterranean they encountered bitter cold for the first time

and nearly succumbed. They were unhappier still in the Bay of Biscay, and
when they reached London there was a sharp frost. They had to be kept in a
drawing room lighted by gas, the deadly influence of which was discovered
the next morning when all the plants were found to be apparently killed.
Two had been killed, and the other two were brought round after much
difficulty. The plants were at once transferred to the hot-house in Regents
Park. For every demonstration in Dr. Bose's private Laboratory at Maida
Vale, the plant had to be brought and returned in a taxicab with closed doors
so that no sudden chill might kill them. When travelling, the large box in
which they were, could not be trusted out of sight in the luggage van. They
had practically to be carried in a reserved compartment. The unusual care
taken of the box always roused the greatest curiosity, and in an incredibly
short time large crowds would gather. When travelling long distances, for
example from London to Vienna, the carriage accommodation had to be
secured in advance. It was this that saved Dr. Bose from being interned in
Germany, where he was to commence his lectures on the 4th August. He
was to start for the University of Bonn on the 2nd, but on account of hasty
mobilisation of troops in Germany he could not secure the reserved
accommodation. Two days after came the proclamation of War!

OUTCOME OF HIS WORK

The success of his scientific mission exceeded his most sanguine
expectations. The work in which he long persevered in isolation and under
most depressing difficulties, bore fruit at last. Apart from the full
recognition that the progress of the world's science would be incomplete
without India's special contributions, mutual appreciation and better
understanding resulted from his visit. One of the greatest of Medical
Institutions, the Royal Society of Medicine, has been pleased to regard his
address before the society as one of the most important in their history and
they expected that their science of medicine would be materially benefited
by the researches that are being carried out by him in India. India has also
been drawn closer to the great seats of learning in the West, to the
Universities of Oxford and Cambridge; for there also the methods of
inquiry initiated here have found the most cordial welcome. Many Indian

students find their way to America, strangers in a strange land; hitherto they
found few to advise and befriend them. It will perhaps be different now,
since their leading Universities have begged from India the courtesy of
hospitality for their post graduate scholars. Some of these Universities again
have asked for a supply of apparatus specially invented at Dr. Bose's
laboratory which in their opinion will mark an epoch in scientific advance.

THE INEFFABLE WONDER BEHIND THE VEIL

As for the research itself, he said its bearings are not exclusively
specialistic, but touch the foundation of various branches of science. To
mention only a few; in medicine it had to deal with the fundamental
reaction of protoplasm to various drugs, the solution of the problem why an
identical agent brings about diametrically opposite effects in different
constitutions; in the science of life it dealt with the new comparative
physiology by which any specific characteristic of a tissue is traced from
the simplest type in plant to the most complex in the animal; the study of
the mysterious phenomenon of death and the accurate determination of the
death point and the various conditions by which this point may be
dislocated backwards and forwards; in psychology it had to deal with the
unravelling of the great mystery that underlies memory and tracing it
backwards to latent impressions even in the inorganic bodies which are
capable of subsequent revival; and finally, the determination of the special
characteristic of that vehicle through which sensiferous impulses are
transmitted and the possibility of changing the intensity and the tone of
sensation. All these investigations, Dr. Bose said, are to be carried out by
new physical methods of the utmost delicacy. He had in these years been
able to remove the obstacles in the path and had lifted the veil so as to catch
a glimpse of the ineffable wonder that had hitherto been hidden from view.
The real work, he said, had only just begun.

A SOCIAL GATHERING

At the Social Gathering held on the 16th December 1915, in the
compound of the Calcutta Presidency College, to meet him after his highly

successful tour through Europe, America and Japan, Dr. Bose spoke as
follows:—

He said that it was his rare good fortune to have been amply rewarded
for the hardships and struggles that he had gone through by the generous
and friendly feelings of his colleagues and the love and trust of his pupils.
He would say a few words regarding his experience in the Presidency
College for more than three decades, which he hoped would serve to bring
all who loved the Presidency College—present and past pupils and their
teachers—in closer bonds of union. He would speak to them what he had
learnt after years of patient labour, that the impossible became possible by
persistent and determined efforts and adherence to duty and entire
selflessness. The greatest obstacle often arises out of foolish
misunderstanding of each other's ideals, such as the differing points of view,
first of the Indian teacher, then of his western colleague, and last but not
least, the point of view of the Indian pupils themselves. In all these respects
his experience had been wide and varied. He had both been an
undergraduate and a graduate of the Calcutta University with vivid
realization of an Indian student's aspirations; he had then become a student
of conservative Cambridge and democratic London. And during his
frequent visits to Europe and America he had become acquainted with the
inner working of the chief universities of the world. Finally he had the
unique privilege of being connected with the Presidency College for thirty-
one years, from which no temptation could sever him. He had the deepest
sense of the sacred vocation of the teacher. They may well be proud of a
consecrated life—consecrated to what? To the guidance of young lives, to
the making of men, to the shaping and determining of souls in the dawn of
their existence, with their dreams yet to be realised.

Education in the West and in the East showed how different customs
and ways might yet express a common ideal. In India the teacher was, like
the head of a family, reverenced by his pupils so deeply as to show itself by
touching the feet of their master. This in no servile act if we come to think
of it; since it is the expression of the pupils' desire for his master's blessings,
called down from heaven in an almost religious communion of souls. This
consecration is renewed every day, calling forth patient foresight of the

teacher. As the father shows no special favour, but lets his love and
compassion go out to the weakest, so it is with the Indian teacher and his
pupil. There is the relation something very human, something very
ennobling. He would say it was essentially human rather than distinctively
Eastern. For do we not find something very like it in Mediaeval Europe?
There too before the coming of the modern era with its lack of leisure and
its adherence to system and machinery, there was a bond as sacred between
the master and his pupils. Luther used to salute his class every morning
with lifted hat, "I bow to you, great men of the future, famous
administrators yet to be, men of learning, men of character who will take on
themselves the burden of the world." Such is the prophetic vision given to
the greatest of teachers. The modern teacher from England will set before
him an ideal not less exalted—regarding his pupils as his comrades, he as
an Englishman will instill into them greater virility and a greater public
spirit. This will be his special contribution to the forming of our Indian
youths.

Turning to the Indian students he could say that it was his good fortune
never to have had the harmonious relation between teacher and pupils in
any way ruffled during his long connection with them for more than three
decades. The real secret of success was in trying at times to see things from
the student's point of view and to cultivate a sense of humour enabling him
to enjoy the splendid self-assurance of youth with a feeling not unmixed
with envy. In essential matters, however, one could not wish to meet a
better type or one more quickly susceptible to finer appeals to right conduct
and duty as Indian students. Their faults are rather of omission than of
commission, since in his experience he formed that the moment they
realised their teachers to be their friends, they responded instantly and did
not flinch from any test, however severe, that could be laid on them.

—The Presidency College Magazine. Vol. II, pages 339-341.

LIGHT VISIBLE AND INVISIBLE

On the 14th January 1916, Dr. J. C. Bose delivered a public lecture, on
Light Visible and Invisible, at the third Indian Science Congress held at
Lucknow, before a crowded audience which included the Lieutenant-
Governor (Sir James Meston).

Dr. Bose, in course of his lecture, spoke of the imperfection of our
senses. Our ear, for example, fails to respond to all sounds. There are many
sounds to which we are deaf. This was because our ear was tuned to answer
to the narrow range of eleven octaves of sound vibrations. He showed a
remarkable experiment of an artificial ear which remained irresponsive to
various sounds, but when a particular note, to which it was tuned, was
sounded even at the distant end of the hall, this ear picked it up and
responded violently. As there were sounds audible and inaudible, so there
were lights visible and invisible. The imperfection of our eye as a detector
of ether vibrations was, however, far more serious. The eye could detect
ether vibrations lying within a single octave—between 400 to 800 billion
vibrations per second. Comparatively slow vibrations of ether did not affect
our eye and the disturbances they give rise to well-known as electric waves.
The electric waves, predicted by Maxwell, were discovered by Hertz. These
waves were about three metres long. They were about ten million times
larger than the beams of visible light. Dr. Bose showed that the three short
electric waves have the same property as a beam of light, exhibiting
reflections, refraction, even total reflection, through a black crystal, double
refraction, polarisation, and rotation of the plane of polarisation. The
thinnest film of air was sufficient to produce total reflection of visible light
with its extremely short wave lengths. But with the new electric waves
which he produced, Dr. Bose showed that the critical thickness of air space
determined by the refracting power of the prison and by the wave length of
electric oscillations. Dr. Bose determined the index of refraction of electric
waves for different materials, and eliminated a difficulty which presented
itself in Maxwell's theory as to the relation between the index of refraction
of light and the di-electric constant of insulators. He also measured the
wave lengths of various oscillations. The order to produce short electric
oscillations, to detect them and study their optical properties, he had to
construct a large number of instruments. It was a hard task to produce very
short electric waves which had enough energy to be detected, but Dr. Bose

overcame this difficulty by constructing radiators or oscillators of his own
type, which emitted the shortest waves with sufficient energy. As a receiver
he used a sensitive metallic coherer, which in itself led to new and
important discoveries. When electric waves fall on a loose contact between
two pieces of metals, the resistance of the contact changes and a current
passes through the contact indicating the existence of electrical oscillations.
Dr. Bose discovered the surprising fact that with potassium metal the
resistance of the contact increases under the action of electric waves and
that this contact exhibits an automatic recovery. He found further that the
change of the metallic contact resistance when acted upon by electric
waves, is a function of the atomic weight. These phenomena led to a new
theory of metallic coherers. Before these discoveries it was assumed that
the particles of the two metallic pieces in contact are, as it were, fused
together, so that the resistance decreases. But the increasing resistance
appearing for some elements, led to the theory that the electric forces in the
waves produced a peculiar molecular action or a re-arrangement of the
molecules, which may either increase or decrease the contact resistance.

—Pioneer,—16-1-1916.

HINDU UNIVERSITY ADDRESS
The foundation of the Hindu University was laid by Lord Hardinge on
the 4th February 1916. "Many striking addresses were delivered on the
occasion. Professor J.C. Bose in his masterly address went to the root of the
matter and pointed in an inspiring manner what should be done to make the
Hindu University worthy of its name. He deprecated a repetition of the
Universities of the West." He said:—

In tracing the characteristic phenomenon of life from simple beginnings
in that vast region which may be called unvoiced, as exemplified in the
world of plants, to its highest expression in the animal kingdom, one is
repeatedly struck by the one dominant fact that in order to maintain an

organism at the height of its efficiency something more than a mechanical
perfection of its structure is necessary. Every living organism, in order to
maintain its life and growth, must be in free communion with all the forces
of the Universe about it.

STIMULUS WITHIN AND WITHOUT

Further, it must not only constantly receive stimulus from without, but
must also give out something from within, and the healthy life of the
organism will depend on these two fold activities of inflow and outflow.
When there is any interference with these activities, then morbid symptoms
appear, which ultimately must end in disaster and death. This is equally true
of the intellectual life of a Nation. When through narrow conceit a Nation
regards itself self-sufficient and cuts itself from the stimulus of the outside
world, then intellectual decay must inevitably follow.

SPECIAL FUNCTION OF A NATION

So far as regards the receptive function. Then there is another function
in the intellectual life of a Nation, that of spontaneous outflow, that giving
out of its life by which the world is enriched. When the Nation has lost this
power, when it merely receives, but cannot give out, then its healthy life is
over, and it sinks into a degenerate existence which is purely parasitic.

HOW INDIA CAN TEACH

How can our Nation give out of the fulness of the life that is in it, and
how can a new Indian University help in the realisation of this object? It is
clear that its power of directing and inspiring will depend on its world
status. This can be secured to it by no artificial means, nor by any strength
in the past; and what is the weakness that has been paralysing her activities
for the accomplishment of any great scientific work? There must be two
different elements, and these must be evenly balanced. Any excess of either
will injure it.

HOW TO SECURE THIS STATUS

This world status can only be won by the intrinsic value of the great
contributions to be made by its own Indian scholars for the advancement of
the world's knowledge. To be organic and vital our new University must
stand primarily for self-expression, and for winning for India a place she
has lost. Knowledge is never the exclusive possession of any particular
race, nor does it recognise geographical limitations. The whole world is
interdependent, and a constant stream of thought had been carried out
throughout the ages enriching the common heritage of mankind. Although
science was neither of the East nor of the West but international, certain
aspects of it gained richness by reason of their place of origin.

In any case if India need to make any contribution to the world it should
be as great as the hope they cherished for her. Let them not talk of the
glories of the past till they have secured for her, her true place among the
intellectual nations of the world. Let them find out how she had fallen from
her high estate and ruthlessly put an end to all that self satisfied and little-
minded vanity which had been the cause of their fatal weakness. What was
it that stood in her way? Was her mind paralysed by weak superstitious
fears? That was not so; for her great thinkers, the Rishis, always stood for
freedom of intellect and while Galileo was imprisoned and Bruno burnt for
their opinions, they boldly declared that even the Vedas were to be rejected
if they did not conform to truth. They urged in favour of persistent efforts
for the discovery of physical causes yet unknown, since to them nothing
was extra-physical but merely mysterious because of a hitherto
unascertained cause. Were they afraid that the march of knowledge was
dangerous to true faith? Not so. For their knowledge and religion were one.

These are the hopes that animate us. For there is something in the Hindu
culture which is possessed of extraordinary latent strength by which it has
resisted the ravages of time and the destructive changes which have swept
over the earth. And indeed a capacity to endure through infinite
transformations must be innate in that mighty civilisation which has seen
the intellectual culture of the Nile Valley, of Assyria and of Babylon war

and wane and disappear and which to-day gazes on the future with the same
invincible faith with which it met the past.

—Modern Review, vol. XIX, pages 277, 278.

THE HISTORY OF A FAILURE THAT WAS
GREAT
At the invitation of the President and the committee of the Faridpore
Industrial Exhibition, Dr. J. C. Bose gave a lecture on the life of his father,
the late Babu Bhugwan Chunder Bose, who founded the Exhibition at
Faridpore, where he was the sub-divisional officer, 50 years ago. It was
published in the Modern Review for February 1917—volume xxi, p. 221. In
course of his address, said Dr. Bose:—

It is the obvious, the insistent, the blatant that often blinds us to the
essential. And in solving the mystery that underlies life, the enlightenment
will come not by the study of the complex man, but through the simpler
plant. It is the unsuspected forces, hidden to the eyes of men,—the forces
imprisoned in the soil and the stimuli of alternating flash of light and the
gloomings of darkness these and many others will be found to maintain the
ceaseless activity which we know as the fulness of throbbing life.

This is likewise true of the congeries of life which we call a society or a
nation. The energy which moves this great mass in ceaseless effort to realise
some common aspiration, often has its origin in the unknown solitudes of a
village life. And thus the history of some efforts, not forgotten, which
emanated from Faridpore, may be found not unconnected with which India
is now meeting her problems to-day. How did these problems first dawn in
the minds of some men who forecast themselves by half a century? How
fared their hopes, how did their dreams become buried in oblivion? Where
lies the secret of that potency which makes certain efforts apparently
doomed to failure, rise renewed from beneath the smouldering ashes? Are

these dead failures, so utterly unrelated to some great success that we may
acclaim to day? When we look deeper we shall find that this is not so, that
as inevitable as in the sequence of cause and effect, so unrelenting must be
the sequence of failure and success. We shall find that the failure must be
the antecedent power to lie dormant for the long subsequent dynamic
expression in what we call success. It is then and then only that we shall
begin to question ourselves which is the greater of the two, a noble failure
or a vulgar success.

As a concrete example, I shall relate the history of a noble failure which
had its setting in this little corner of the earth. And if some of the audience
thought that the speaker has been blessed with life that has been unusually
fruitful, they will soon realise that the power and strength that nerved me to
meet the shocks of life were in reality derived at this very place, where I
witnessed the struggle which overpowered a far greater life.

STIMULUS OF CONTACT WITH WESTERN CULTURE

An impulse from outside reacts on impressionable bodies in two
different ways, depending on whether the recipient is inert or fully alive.
The inert is fashioned after the pattern of the impression made on it, and
this in infinite repetition of one mechanical stamp. But when an organism is
fully alive, the answering reaction is often of an altogether different
character to the impinging stimulus. The outside shocks stir up the organism
to answer feebly or to utmost in ways as multitudinous and varied as life
itself. So the first impetus of Western education impressed itself on some in
a dead monotony of imitation of things Western; while in others it
awakened all that was greatest in the national memory. It is the release of
some giant force which lay for long time dormant. My father was one of the
earliest to receive the impetus characteristic of the modern epoch as derived
from the West. And in his case it came to pass that the stimulus evoked the
latent potentialities of his race for evolving modes of expression demanded
by the period of transition in which he was placed. They found expression
in great constructive work, in the restoration of quiet amidst disorder, in the
earliest effort to spread education both among men and women, in questions

of social welfare, in industrial efforts, in the establishment of people's Bank
and in the foundation of industrial and technical schools. And behind all
these efforts lay a burning love for his country and its nobler traditions.

MATTERS EDUCATIONAL

In educational matters he had very definite ideas which is now
becoming more fully appreciated. English schools were at that time not
only regarded as the only efficient medium for instruction. While my
father's subordinates sent their children to the English schools intended for
gentle folks, I was sent to the vernacular school where my comrades were
hardy sons of toilers and of others who, it is now the fashion to regard, were
belonging to the depressed classes. From these who tilled the ground and
made the land blossom with green verdure and ripening corn, and the sons
of the fisher folk, who told stories of the strange creatures that frequented
the unknown depths of mighty rivers and stagnant pools, I first derived the
lesson of that which constitutes true manhood. From them too I drew my
love of nature. When I came home accompanied by my comrades I found
my mother waiting for us. She was an orthodox Hindu, yet the
"untouchableness" of some of my school fellows did not produce any
misgivings in her. She welcomed and fed all these as her own children; for
it is only true of the mother heart to go out and enfold in her protecting care
all those who needed succour and a mother's affection. I now realise the
object of my being sent at the most plastic period of my life to the
vernacular school, where I was to learn my own language, to think my own
thoughts and to receive the heritage of our national culture through the
medium of our own literature. I was thus to consider myself one with the
people and never to place myself in an equivocal position of assumed
superiority. This I realised more particularly when later I wished to go to
Europe and to compete for the Indian Civil Service, his refusal as regards
that particular career was absolute. I was to rule nobody but myself, I was
to be a scholar not an administrator.

THE HISTORY OF A FAILURE THAT WAS GREAT

There has been some complaint that the experiment of meeting out cut
and dried moral texts as a part of school routine has not proved to be so
effective as was expected by their promulgators. The moral education
which we received in our childhood was very indirect and came from
listening to stories recited by the 'Kathas' on various incidents connected
with our great epics. Their effect on our minds was very great; this may be
because our racial memory makes us more prone to respond to certain
ideals that have been impressed on the consciousness of the nation. These
early appeals to our emotions have remained persistent; the only difference
is that which was there as a narrative of incidents more or less historical, is
now realised as eternally true, being an allegory of the unending struggle of
the human soul in its choice between what is material and that other
something which transcends it. The only pictures now in my study are a few
frescoes done for me by Abanindra Nath Tagore and Nanda Lal Bose. The
first fresco represents Her, who is the Sustainer of the Universe. She stands
pedestalled on the lotus of our heart. The world was at peace; but a change
has come. And She under whose Veil of Compassion we had been protected
so long, suddenly flings us to the world of conflict. Our great epic, the
Mahabharata, deals with this great conflict, and the few frescoes delineate
some of the fundamental incidents. The coming of the discord is signalled
by the rattle of dice, thrown by Yudhisthira, the pawn at stake, being the
crown. Two hostile arrays are set in motion, mighty Kaurava armaments
meeting in shock of battle the Pandava host with Arjuna as the leader, and
Krishna as his Divine Charioteer. At the supreme moment Arjuna had flung
down his earthly weapon, Gandiva. It was then that the eternal conflict
between matter and spirit was decided. The next panel shows the outward
or the material aspect of victory. Behind a foreground of waving flags is
seen the battle field of Kurukshetra with procession of white-clad mourning
women seen by fitful lights of funeral pyres. In the last panel is seen
Yudhisthira renouncing the fruits of his victory setting out on his last
journey. In front of him lies the vast and sombre plain and mountain peaks,
faintly visible by gleams of unearthly light, unlocalised but playing here
and there. His wife and his brothers had fallen behind and dropped one by
one. There is to be no human companion in his last journey. The only thing
that stood by him and from which he had never been really separated is
Dharma or the Spirit of Righteousness.

LIFE OF ACTION

Faridpur at that time enjoyed a notoriety of being the stronghold of
desperate characters, dacoits by land and water. My father had captured
single-handed one of the principal leaders, whom he sentenced to a long
term of imprisonment. After release he came to my father and demanded
some occupation, since the particular vocation in which he had specialised
was now rendered impossible. My father took the unusual course to employ
him as my special attendant to carry me, a child of four, on his back to the
distant village school. No nurse could be tenderer than this ex-leader of
lawless men, whose profession had been to deal out wounds and deaths. He
had accepted a life of peace but he could not altogether wipe out his old
memories. He used to fill my infant mind with the stories of his bold
adventures, the numerous fights in which he had taken part, the death of his
companions and his hair-breadth escapes. Numerous were the decorations
he bore. The most conspicuous was an ugly mark on his breast left by an
arrow and a hole on the thigh caused by a spear thrust. The trust imposed on
this marauder proved to be not altogether ill placed for once in a river
journey we were pursued by several long boats filled with armed dacoits.
When these boats came too near for us to effect an escape the erstwhile
dacoit leader, my attendant, stood up and gave a peculiar cry, which was
evidently understood. For the pursuing boats vanished at the signal.

INDUSTRIAL EFFORTS

I come now to another period of his life fifty years from now, when he
foresaw the economic danger that threatened his country. This Agricultural
and Industrial Exhibition was one of the first means he thought of to avert
the threatened danger. Here also he attempted to bring together other
activities. Evening entertainments were given by the performances of
"Jatras," which have been the expression of our national drama and which
have constantly enriched our Bengali literature by the contributions of
village bards and composers. There were athletic tournaments also and
display of physical strength and endurance. He also established here the
people's Bank, which is now in a most flourishing condition. He established

industrial and technical schools, and it was there that the inventive bend of
my mind received its first impetus. I remember the deep impression made
on my mind by the form of worship rendered by the artisans to Viswakarma
God in his aspect as the Great Artificer: His hand it was that was moulding
the whole creation; and it seemed that we were the instruments in his hand,
through whom he intended to fashion some Great Design.

In practical agriculture my father was among Indians one of the first to
start a tea industry in Assam, now regarded as one of the most flourishing.
He gave practically everything in the starting of some Weaving Mills. He
stood by this and many other efforts in industrial developments. The
success of which I spoke did not come till long after—too late for him to
see it. He had come before the country was ready, and it happened to him as
it must happen to all pioneers. Every one of his efforts failed and the crash
came. And a great burden fell on us which was only lifted by our united
effects just before his work here was over.

A failure? Yes but not ignoble or altogether futile. Since it was through
the witnessing of this struggle that the son learned to look on success or
failure as one, to realise that some defeat was greater than victory. And if
my life in any way proved to be fruitful, then that came through the
realisation of this lesson.

To me his life had been one of blessing and daily thanksgiving.
Nevertheless every one had said that he wrecked his life which was meant
for far greater things. Few realise that out of the skeletons of myriad lives
have been built vast continents. And it is on the wreck of a life like his and
of many such lives there will be built the Greater India yet to be. We do not
know why it should be so, but we do know that the Earth Mother is hungry
for sacrifice.

QUEST OF TRUTH AND DUTY

Sir Jagadis Chandra Bose delivered the following Address, on the 25th
February 1917, to the students of the Presidency College on receiving their
Arghya and congratulations on the occasion of his knighthood. It was
published in the Modern Review for March 1917—Volume XXI, p. 343.

In your congratulations for the recent honour, you have overlooked a
still greater that came to me a year ago, when I was gazetted as your
perpetual professor, so that the tie which binds me to you is never to be
severed. Thirty-two years ago I sought to be your teacher. For the trust that
you imposed on me could I do anything less than place before you the
highest that I knew? I never appealed to your weaknesses but your strength.
I never set before you that was easy but used all the compulsion for the
choice of the most difficult. And perhaps as a reward for these years of
effort I find all over India those who have been my pupils occupying
positions of the highest trust and responsibility in different walks of life. I
do not merely count those who have won fame and success but I also claim
many others who have taken up the burden of life manfully and whose life
of purity and unselfishness has brought gleams of joy in suffering lives.

THE LAW UNIVERSAL

Through science I was able to teach you how the seeming veils the real;
how though the garish lights dazzle and blind us, there are lights invisible,
which glow persistently after the brief flare burns out. One came to realise
how all matter was one, how unified all life was. In the various expressions
of life even in the realm of thought the same Universal law prevails. There
was no such thing as brute matter, but that spirit suffused matter in which it
was enshrined. One also realised dimly a mysterious Cyclic Law of Change,
seen not merely in inorganic matter but also in organised life and its highest
manifestations. One saw how inertness passes into the climax of activity
and how that climax is perilously near its antithetic decline. This basic
change puzzles us by its seeming caprice not merely in our physical
instruments but also in the cycle of individual life and death and in the great
cycle of the life and death of nations. We fail to see things in their totality
and we erect barriers that keep kindreds apart. Even science which attempts

to rise above common limitations, has not escaped the doom which limited
vision imposes. We have caste in science as in religion and in politics,
which divides one into conflicting many. The law of Cyclic change follows
us relentlessly even in the realm of thought. When we have raised ourselves
to the highest pinnacle, through some oversight we fall over the precipice.
Men have offered their lives for the establishment of truth. A climax is
reached after which the custodians of knowledge themselves bar further
advance. Men who have fought for liberty impose on themselves and on
others the bond of slavery. Through centuries have men striven to erect a
mighty edifice in which Humanity might be enshrined; through want of
vigilance the structure crumbled into dust. Many cycles must yet be run and
defeats must yet be borne before man will establish a destiny which is
above change.

And through science I was able to teach you to seek for truth and help to
discover it yourself. This attitude of detachment may possess some
advantage in the proper understanding of your duties. You will have,
besides, the heritage of great ideals that have been handed down to you. The
question which you have to decide is duty to yourself, to the king and to
your country. I shall speak to you of the ideals which we cherish about these
duties.

DUTY TO SELF

As regards duty to self, can there be anything so inclusive as being true
to your manhood? Stand upright and do not be either cringing or vulgarly
self-assertive. Be righteous. Let your words and deeds correspond. Lead no
double life. Proclaim what you think right.

IDEAL OF KINGSHIP

The Indian ideal of kingship will be clear to you if I recite the
invocation with which we crowned our kings from the Vedic Times:

"Be with us. We have chosen thee
Let all the people wish for thee
Stand steadfast and immovable
Be like a mountain unremoved
And hold thy kingship in thy grasp."

We have chosen thee, our prayers have consecrated thee, for all the
wishes of the people went with thee. Thou art to stand as mountain
unremoved, for thy throne is planted secure on the hearts of thy people.
Stand steadfast then, for we have endowed thee with power irresistible. Fall
therefore not away; but let thy sceptre be held firmly in thy grasp.

Which is more potent, Matter or Spirit? Is the power with which the
people endow their king identical with the power of wealth with which we
enrich him by paying him his Royal dues? We make him irresistible not by
wealth but by the strength of our lives, the strength of our mind, may, we
have to pay him more according to our ancient Lawgivers, in as much as the
eighth part of our deeds and virtues, and the merit we have ourselves
acquired. We can only make him irresistible by the strength of our lives, the
strength of our minds, and the strength that comes out of righteousness.

DUTY TO OUR COUNTRY

And lastly, what are our duties to our country? These are essentially to
win honour for it and also win for it security and peace. As regards winning
honour for our country, it is true that while India has offered from the
earliest times welcome and hospitality to all peoples and nationalities her
children have been subjected to intolerable humiliations in other countries
even under the flag of our king.

There can be no question of the fundamental duty of every Indian to
stand up and uphold the honour of his country and strove for the removal of
wrong.

The general task of redressing wrong is not a problem of India alone,
but one in which the righteous men are interested the world over. For wrong

cries for redress everywhere, in the clashings interests of the rich and poor,
between capital and labour, between those who hold the power and those
from whom it has been withheld,—in a word in the struggle of the
Disinherited.

When any man is rendered unable to uphold his manhood and self-
respect and woman are deprived of the chivalrous protection and
consideration of men and subjected to degradation, the general level of
manhood or womanhood in the world is lowered. It then becomes an
outrage to humanity and a challenge to all men to safeguard the sacredness
of our common human nature.

What is the machinery which sets a going a world movement for the
redress of wrong? For this I need not cite instances from the history of other
countries but take one which is known to you and in which the living actors
are still among us. In the midst of the degradation of his countrymen in
South Africa, there stood up a man himself nurtured in luxury, to take up
the burden of the disinherited. His wife too stood by him, a lady of gentle
birth. We all know who that man is—he is Gandhi,—and what humiliations
and suffering he went through. Do you think he suffered in vain and that his
voice remained unheard? It was not so, for in the great vortex of passion for
Justice, there were caught others—men like Polak and Andrews. Are they
your countrymen? Not in the narrow sense of the word but truly in a larger
sense, that these who choose to bear and suffer belong to one clan the clan
from which Kshatriya Chivalry is recruited. The removal of suffering and of
the cause of suffering is the Dharma of the strong Kshatriya. The earth is
the wide and universal theatre of man's woeful pageant. The question is
who is to suffer more than his share. Is the burden to fall on the weak or the
strong? Is it to be under hopeless compulsion or of voluntary acceptance?

DEFENCE OF HOMELAND

In your services for your country there is no higher at the present
moment than to ensure for her security and peace. We have so long enjoyed

the security of peace without being called upon to maintain it. But this is no
longer so.

At no time within the recent history of India has there been so quick a
readjustment and appreciation as regards proper understanding of the
aspiration of the Indian people. This has been due to what India has been
able to offer not merely in the regions of thought but also in the fields of
battle.

MASS RESPONSE

And remember that when the world is in conflagration, this corner
which has hitherto escaped it, will not evade the peril which threatens it.
The march of disaster will then be terribly rapid. You have soon to prepare
yourself against any hostile sides. You can only withstand it if the whole
people realise the imminent danger. You can by your thought and by your
action awaken and influence the multitude. Do not have any misgivings
about the want of long previous preparations. Have you not already seen
how mind triumphs over matter and have not some of you with only a few
months' preparation stood fearless at your post in Mesopotamia and won
recognition by your calm collectedness and true heroism? They may say
that you are but a small handful, what of the vast illiterate millions?
Illiterate in what sense? Have not the ballads of these illiterates rendered
into English by our Poet touched profoundly the hearts of the very elect of
the West? Have not the stories of their common life appealed to the
common kinship of humanity? If you still have some doubts about the
power of the multitude to respond instantly to the call of duty, I shall relate
an incident which came within my own personal experience. I had gone on
a scientific expedition to the borders of the Himalayan terrai of Kumaun; a
narrow ravine was between me and the plateau on the other side. Terror
prevailed among the villagers on the other side of the ravine; for a tigress
had come down from the forest. And numerous had been the toll in human
lives exacted. Petitions had been sent up to the Government and questions
had been asked in Parliament. A reward of Rs. 500 had been offered.
Various captains in the army with battery of guns came many a time, but the

reward remained unclaimed. The murderess of the forest would come out
even in broad day-light and leisurely take her victims from away their
companions. Nothing could circumvent her demoniac cunning. When all
hopes had nearly vanished, the villagers went to Kaloo Singh, who
possessed an old matchlock. At the special sanction of the Magistrate he
was allowed to buy a quantity of gunpowder; the bullets he himself made
by melting bits of lead. With his primitive weapon with the entreaties of his
villagers ringing in his ears Kaloo Singh started on his perilous journey. At
midday I was startled by the groanings of some animals in pain. The tigress
had sprung among a herd of buffalo and with successive strokes of its
mighty paws had killed two buffaloes and left them in the field. Kaloo
Singh waited there for the return of the tigress to the kill. There was not a
tree near by; only there was a low bush behind which he lay crouched. After
hours of waiting as the sun was going down he was taken aback by the
sudden apparition of the tigress which stood within six feet of him. His
limbs had become half paralysed from cold and his crouching position.
Trying to raise his gun he could take no aim as his arm was shaking with
involuntary fear. Kaloo Singh explained to me afterwards how he succeeded
in shaking off his mortal terror. "I quietly said to myself, Kaloo Singh,
Kaloo Singh, who sent you here? Did not the villagers put their trust on
you! I could then no longer lie in hiding, and I stood up and something
strange and invigorating crept up strength into my body. All the trembling
went and I became as hard as steel. The tigress had seen me and with eyes
blazing crouched for the spring lashing its tail. Only six feet lay between.
She sprang and my gun also went off at the same time and she missed her
aim and fell dead close to me." That was how a common villager went off
to meet death at the call of something for which he could give no name and
the mother and wife of Kaloo Singh had also bidden him go. There are
millions of Kaloo Singhs with mother and sisters and wife to send them
forth. And you too have many loved ones who would themselves bid you
arm for the defence of your homes.

DIFFERENCE OF TEMPERAMENT

The issue is clear, and immediate action is imperative. But action is
delayed by misunderstanding arising out of temperamental differences
between the Governing Class and the People. Curiously enough the
respective responsive characteristics of the Anglo Saxon and the Indians are
paralleled by the two types of responses seen in all living matter. In the one
type the response is slow but proportionate to the stimulus that excites it.
The response grows with the strength of external force. In the other it is
quite different—here it is an all-or-none principle. It either responds to the
utmost or nothing at all. This is also illustrated in the different racial
characteristics. The Anglo Saxon has even by his rights by struggle, step by
step. The insignificant little has, by accumulation, became large, and which
has been gained, has been gained for all time. But in the Indian the ideal
and the emotional are the only effective stimulus. The ideal of his King is
Rama, who renounced his kingdom and even his beloved for an idea. One
day a king and another day a bare-footed wanderer in the forest! Who
cares? All or nothing!

The concessions made by a modern form of Government safeguarded
by necessary limitations may appear almost as grudging gifts. The Indian
wants something which comes with unhesitating frankness and warmth and
strikes his ideality and imagination. But ancient and modern kingship are
sometimes at one in direct and spontaneous pronouncement of the royal
sympathy. Such was the Proclamation of Queen Victoria which stirred to its
depths the popular heart.

"In the Prosperity of Our subjects will be our strength, in their
contentment Our security, in their Gratitude Our best Reward."

That there are increasingly frequent reflexes in our Government to
popular needs and wishes is happily illustrated at a most opportune moment
from the statements in the recent Gazette of India and cables received from
London. In the former we find that the Viceroy and his council had
recommended the abolition of the system of indentured labour. In the
telegram from London Mr. Chamberlain states that the Viceroy has
informed him that Indians will be eligible for commissions in the New
Defence of India Army.

MARCH OF WORLD TRAGEDY

In the meantime the Embodiment of World Tragedy is marching with
giant strides. Brief will be his hesitation whether he will choose to step first
to the East or to the West. Already across the Atlantic, they are preparing for
the dreaded visitation. In the farthest East they have long been prepared. We
alone are not ready. Pity for our helplessness will not stay the impending
disaster, rather provoke it. When that comes, as assuredly it will unless we
are prepared to resist, havoc will be let loose and horrors perpetrated before
which the imagination quails back in dismay.

I have tried to lay before you as dispassionately as I could the issues
involved. But some of you may cry out and say, we can not live in cold
scientific and philosophic abstractions. Emotion is more to us than pure
reasoning. We cannot stay in this indecision which is paralysing our wills
and crushing the soul out of us. The world is offering their best and behold
them marching to be immolated so that by the supreme offering of death
they might win safety and honor for their motherland. There is no time for
wavering. We too will throw in our lot with those who are fighting. They
say that by our lives we shall win for our birth-land an honoured place in
their federation. We shall trust them. We shall stand by their side and fight
for our home and homeland. And let Providence shape the Issue.

THE VOICE OF LIFE
The following is the Inaugural Address delivered by Sir J. C. Bose, on
the 30th November 1917, in dedicating the Bose Institute to the Nation.

I dedicate to-day this Institute—not merely a Laboratory but a Temple.
The power of physical methods applies for the establishment of that truth
which can be realised directly through our senses, or through the vast
expansion of the perceptive range by means of artificially created organs.
We still gather the tremulous message when the note of the audible reaches

the unheard. When human sight fails, we continue to explore the region of
the invisible. The little that we can see is as nothing compared to the
vastness of that which we cannot. Out of the very imperfection of his senses
man has built himself a raft of thought by which he makes daring
adventures on the great seas of the Unknown. But there are other truths
which will remain beyond even the supersensitive methods known to
science. For these we require faith, tested not in a few years but by an entire
life. And a temple is erected as a fit memorial for the establishment of that
truth for which faith was needed. The personal, yet general, truth and faith
whose establishment this Institute commemorates is this: that when one
dedicates himself wholly for a great object, the closed doors shall open, and
the seemingly impossible will become possible for him.

Thirty-two years ago I chose teaching of science as my vocation. It was
held that by its very peculiar constitution, the Indian mind would always
turn away from the study of Nature to metaphysical speculations. Even had
the capacity for inquiry and accurate observation been assumed present,
there were no opportunities for their employment; there were no well-
equipped laboratories nor skilled mechanicians. This was all too true. It is
for man not to quarrel with circumstances but bravely accept them; and we
belong to that race and dynasty who had accomplished great things with
simple means.

FAILURE AND SUCCESS

This day twenty-three years ago, I resolved that as far as the whole-
hearted devotion and faith of one man counted, that would not be wanting
and within six months it came about that some of the most difficult
problems connected with Electric Waves found their solution in my
Laboratory and received high appreciation from Lord Kelvin, Lord
Rayleigh and other leading physicists. The Royal Society honoured me by
publishing my discoveries and offering, of their own accord, an
appropriation from the special Parliamentary Grant for the advancement of
knowledge. That day the closed gates suddenly opened and I hoped that the
torch that was then lighted would continue to burn brighter, and brighter.

But man's faith and hope require repeated testing. For five years after this,
the progress was interrupted; yet when the most generous and wide
appreciation of my work had reached almost the highest point there came a
sudden and unexpected change.

LIVING AND NON-LIVING

In the pursuit of my investigations I was unconsciously led into the
border region of physics and physiology and was amazed to find boundary
lines vanishing and points of contact emerge between the realms of the
Living and Non-living. Inorganic matter was found anything but inert; it
also was a thrill under the action of multitudinous forces that played on it. A
universal reaction seemed to bring together metal, plant and animal under a
common law. They all exhibited essentially the same phenomena of fatigue
and depression, together with possibilities of recovery and of exaltation, yet
also that of permanent irresponsiveness which is associated with death. I
was filled with awe at this stupendous generalisation; and it was with great
hope that I announced my results before the Royal Society,—results
demonstrated by experiments. But the physiologists present advised me,
after my address, to confine myself to physical investigations in which my
success had been assured, rather than encroach on their preserve. I had thus
unwittingly strayed into the domain of a new and unfamiliar caste system
and so offended its etiquette. An unconscious theological bias was also
present which confounds ignorance with faith. It is forgotten that He, who
surrounded us with this ever-evolving mystery of creation, the ineffable
wonder that lies hidden in the microcosm of the dust particle, enclosing
within the intricacies of its atomic form all the mystery of the cosmos, has
also implanted in us the desire to question and understand. To the
theological bias was added the misgivings about the inherent bent of the
Indian mind towards mysticism and unchecked imagination. But in India
this burning imagination which can extort new order out of a mass of
apparently contradictory facts, is also held in check by the habit of
meditation. It is this restraint which confers the power to hold the mind in
pursuit of truth, in infinite patience, to wait, and reconsider, to
experimentally test and repeatedly verify.

It is but natural that there should be prejudice, even in science, against
all innovations; and I was prepared to wait till the first incredulity could be
overcome by further cumulative evidence. Unfortunately there were other
incidents and misrepresentations which it was impossible to remove from
this insulating distance. Thus no conditions could have been more
desperately hopeless than those which confronted me for the next twelve
years. It is necessary to make this brief reference to this period of my life;
for one who would devote himself to the search of truth must realise that for
him there awaits no easy life, but one of unending struggle. It is for him to
cast his life as an offering, regarding gain and loss, success and failure, as
one. Yet in my case this long persisting gloom was suddenly lifted. My
scientific deputation in 1914, from the Government of India, gave the
opportunity of giving demonstrations of my discoveries before the leading
scientific societies of the world. This led to the acceptance of my theories
and results, and the recognition of the importance of the Indian contribution
to the advancement of the world's science. My own experience told me how
heavy, sometimes even crushing, are the difficulties which confront an
inquirer here in India; yet it made me stronger in my determination, that I
shall make the path of those who are to follow me less arduous, and that
India, is never to relinquish what has been won for her after years of
struggle.

THE TWO IDEALS

What is it that India is to win and maintain? Can anything small or
circumscribed ever satisfy the mind of India? Has her own history and the
teaching of the past prepared her for some temporary and quite subordinate
gain? There are at this moment two complementary and not antagonistic
ideals before the country. India is drawn into the vortex of international
competition. She has to become efficient in every way,—through spread of
education, through performance of civic duties and responsibilities, through
activities both industrial and commercial. Neglect of these essentials of
national duty will imperil her very existence; and sufficient stimulus for
these will be found in success and satisfaction of personal ambition.

But these alone do not ensure the life of a nation. Such material
activities have brought in the West their fruit, in accession of power and
wealth. There has been a feverish rush even in the realm of science, for
exploiting applications of knowledge, not so often for saving as for
destruction. In the absence of some power of restraint, civilisation is
trembling in an unstable poise on the brink of ruin. Some complementary
ideal there must be to save man from that mad rush which must end in
disaster. He has followed the lure and excitement of some insatiable
ambition, never pausing for a moment to think of the ultimate object for
which success was to serve as a temporary incentive. He forgot that far
more potent than competition was mutual help and co-operation in the
scheme of life. And in this country through milleniums, there always have
been some who, beyond the immediate and absorbing prize of the hour,
sought for the realisation of the highest ideal of life—not through passive
renunciation, but through active struggle. The weakling who has refused the
conflict, having acquired nothing has nothing to renounce. He alone who
has striven and won, can enrich the world by giving away the fruits of his
victorious experience. In India such examples of constant realisation of
ideals through work have resulted in the formation of a continuous living
tradition. And by her latent power of rejuvenescence she has readjusted
herself through infinite transformations. Thus while the soul of Babylon and
the Nile Valley have transmigrated, ours still remains vital and with
capacity of absorbing what time has brought, and making it one with itself.

The ideal of giving, of enriching, in fine, of self-renunciation in
response to the highest call of humanity is the other and complementary
ideal. The motive power for this is not to be found in personal ambition but
in the effacement of all littlenesses, and uprooting of that ignorance which
regards anything as gain which is to be purchased at others' loss. This I
know, that no vision of truth can come except in the absence of all sources
of distraction, and when the mind has reached the point of rest.

Public life, and the various professions will be the appropriate spheres
of activity for many aspiring young men. But for my disciples, I call on
those very few, who, realising inner call, will devote their whole life with

strengthened character and determined purpose to take part in that infinite
struggle to win knowledge for its own sake and see truth face to face.

ADVANCEMENT AND DIFFUSION OF KNOWLEDGE

The work already carried out in my laboratory on the response of
matter, and the unexpected revelations in plant life, foreshadowing the
wonders of the highest animal life, have opened out very extended regions
of inquiry in Physics, in physiology in Medicine, in Agriculture and even in
Psychology. Problems, hitherto regarded as insoluble, have now been
brought within the sphere of experimental investigation. These inquiries are
obviously more extensive than those customary either among physicists or
physiologists, since demanding interests and aptitudes hitherto more or less
divided between them. In the study of Nature, there is a necessity of the
dual view point, this alternating yet rhythmically unified interaction of
biological thought with physical studies, and physical thought with
biological studies. The future worker with his freshened grasp of physics,
his fuller conception of the inorganic world, as indeed thrilling with "the
promise and potency of life" will redouble his former energies of work and
thought. Thus he will be in a position to win now the old knowledge with
finer sieves, to research it with new enthusiasm and subtler instruments.
And thus with thought and toil and time he may hope to bring fresher views
into the old problems. His handling of these will be at once more vital and
more kinetic, more comprehensive and unified.

The farther and fuller investigation of the many and ever-opening
problems of the nascent science which includes both Life and Non-Life are
among the main purposes of the Institute I am opening to-day; in these
fields I am already fortunate in having a devoted band of disciples, whom I
have been training for the last ten years. Their number is very limited, but
means may perhaps be forthcoming in the future to increase them. An
enlarging field of young ability may thus be available, from which will
emerge, with time and labour, individual originality of research, productive
invention and some day even creative genius.

But high success is not to be obtained without corresponding
experimental exactitude, and this is needed to-day more than ever, and to-
morrow yet more again. Hence the long battery of supersensitive
instruments and apparatus, designed here, which stand before in their cases
in our entrance hall. They will tell you of the protracted struggle to get
behind the deceptive seeming into the reality that remained unseen;—of the
continuous toil and persistence and of ingenuity called forth for overcoming
human limitations. In these directions through the ever-increasing ingenuity
of device for advancing science, I see at no distant future an advance of
skill and of invention among our workers; and if this skill be assured,
practical applications will not fail to follow in many fields of human
activity.

The advance of science is the principal object of this Institute and also
the diffusion of knowledge. We are here in the largest of all the many
chambers of this House of Knowledge—its Lecture Room. In adding this
feature, and on a scale hitherto unprecedented in a Research Institute, I have
sought permanently to associate the advancement of knowledge with the
widest possible civic and public diffusion of it; and this without any
academic limitations, henceforth to all races and languages, to both men
and women alike, and for all time coming.

The lectures given here will not be mere repetitions of second-hand
knowledge. They will announce to an audience of some fifteen hundred
people, the new discoveries made here, which will be demonstrated for the
first time before the public. We shall thus maintain continuously the highest
aim of a great Seat of Learning by taking active part in the advancement
and diffusion of knowledge. Through the regular publication of the
Transactions of the Institute, these Indian contributions will reach the whole
world. The discoveries made will thus become public property. No patents
will ever be taken. The spirit of our national culture demands that we should
for ever be free from the desecration of utilising knowledge for personal
gain. Besides the regular staff there will be a selected number of scholars,
who by their work have shown special aptitude, and who would devote their
whole life to the pursuit of research. They will require personal training and

their number must necessarily be limited. But it is not the quantity but
quality that is of essential importance.

It is my further wish, that as far as the limited accommodation would
permit, the facilities of this Institute should be available to workers from all
countries. In this I am attempting to carry out the traditions of my country,
which so far back as twenty-five centuries ago, welcomed all scholars from
different parts of the world, within the precincts of its ancient seats of
learning, at Nalanda and at Taxilla.

THE SURGE OF LIFE

With this widened outlook, we shall not only maintain the highest
traditions of the past but also serve the world in nobler ways. We shall be at
one with it in feeling the common surgings of life, the common love for the
good, the true and the beautiful. In this Institute, this Study and Garden of
Life, the claim of art has not been forgotten, for the artist has been working
with us, from foundation to pinnacle, and from floor to ceiling of this very
Hall. And beyond that arch the Laboratory merges imperceptibly into the
garden, which is the true laboratory for the study of Life. There the
creepers, the plants and the trees are played upon by their natural
environments,—sunlight and wind, and the chill at midnight under the vault
of starry space. There are other surroundings also, where they will be
subjected to chromatic action of different lights, to invisible rays, to
electrified ground or thunder-charged atmosphere. Everywhere they will
transcribe in their own script the history of their experience. From this lofty
point of observation, sheltered by the trees, the student will watch this
panorama of life. Isolated from all distractions, he will learn to attune
himself with Nature; the obscuring veil will be lifted and he will gradually
come to see how community throughout the great ocean of life outweighs
apparent dissimilarity. Out of discord he will realise the great harmony.

THE OUTLOOK

These are the dreams that wove a network round my wakeful life for
many years past. The outlook is endless, for the goal is at infinity. The
realisation cannot be through one life or one fortune but through the co-
operation of many lives and many fortunes. The possibility of a fuller
expansion will depend on very large endowments. But a beginning must be
made, and this is the genesis of the foundation of this Institute. I came with
nothing and shall return as I came; if something is accomplished in the
interval, that would indeed be a privilege. What I have I will offer, and one
who had shared with me the struggles and hardships that had to be faced,
has wished to bequeath all that is hers for the same object. In all my
struggling efforts I have not been altogether solitary while the world
doubted, there had been a few, now in the City of Silence, who never
wavered in their trust.

Till a few weeks ago it seemed that I shall have to look to the future for
securing the necessary expansion of scope and for permanence of the
Institute. But response is being awakened in answer to the need. The
Government have most generously intimated their desire to sanction grants
towards placing the Institute on a permanent basis the extent of which will
be proportionate to the public interest in this national undertaking. Out of
many who would feel an interest in securing adequate Endowment, the very
first donations have come from two of the merchant princes of Bombay, to
whom I had been personally unknown.

A note that touched me deeply came from some girl students of the
Western Province, enclosing their little contribution "for the service of our
common motherland." It is only the instinctive mother-heart that can truly
realise the bond that draws together the nurselings of the common
homeland. There can be no real misgiving for the future when at the
country's call man offers the strength of his life and woman her active
devotion, she most of all, who has the greater insight and larger faith
because of the life of austerity and self-abnegation. Even a solitary wayfarer
in the Himalayas has remembered to send me message of cheer and good
hope. What is it that has bridged over the distance and blotted out all
differences? That I will come gradually to know; till then it will remain
enshrined as a feeling. And I go forward to my appointed task, undismayed

by difficulties, companioned by the kind thoughts of my well-wishers, both
far and near.

INDIA'S SPECIAL APTITUDES IN CONTRIBUTION TO SCIENCE

The excessive specialisation of modern science in the West has led to
the danger of losing sight of the fundamental fact that there can be but one
truth, one science which includes all the branches of knowledge. How
chaotic appear the happenings in Nature? Is nature a Cosmos! in which the
human mind is some day to realise the uniform march of sequence, order
and law? India through her habit of mind is peculiarly fitted to realise the
idea of unity, and to see in the phenomenal world an orderly universe. This
trend of thought led me unconsciously to the dividing frontiers of different
sciences and shaped the course of my work in its constant alternations
between the theoretical and the practical, from the investigation of the
inorganic world to that of organised life and its multifarious activities of
growth, of movement, and even of sensation. On looking over a hundred
and fifty different lines of investigations carried on during the last twenty-
three years, I now discover in them a natural sequence. The study of
Electric Waves led to the devising of methods for the production of the
shortest electric waves known and these bridged over the gulf between
visible and invisible light; from this followed accurate investigation on the
optical properties of invisible waves, the determination of the refractive
powers of various opaque substances, the discovery of effect of air film on
total reflection and the polarising properties of strained rocks and of electric
tourmalines. The invention of a new type of self-recovering electric receiver
made of galena was the fore-runner of application of crystal detectors for
extending the range of wireless signals. In physical chemistry the detection
of molecular change in matter under electric stimulation, led to a new
theory of photographic action. The fruitful theory of stereochemistry was
strengthened by the production of two kinds of artificial molecules, which
like the two kinds of sugar, rotated the polarised electric wave either to the
right or to the left. Again the 'fatigue' of my receivers led to the discovery of
universal sensitiveness inherent in matter as shown by its electric response.
It was next possible to study this response in its modification under

changing environment, of which its exaltation under stimulants and its
abolition under poisons are among the most astonishing outward
manifestations. And as a single example of the many applications of this
fruitful discovery, the characteristics of an artificial retina gave a clue to the
unexpected discovery of "binocular alternation of vision" in man;—each
eye thus supplements its fellow by turns, instead of acting as a continuously
yoked pair, as hitherto believed.

PLANT LIFE AND ANIMAL LIFE

In natural sequence to the investigations of the response in 'inorganic'
matter, has followed a prolonged study of the activities of plant-life as
compared with the corresponding functioning of animal life. But since
plants for the most part seem motionless and passive, and are indeed limited
in their range of movement, special apparatus of extreme delicacy had to be
invented, which should magnify the tremor of excitation and also measure
the perception period of a plant to a thousandth part of a second. Ultra-
microscopic movements were measured and recorded; the length measured
being often smaller than a fraction of a single wave-length of light. The
secret of plant life was thus for the first time revealed by the autographs of
the plant itself. This evidence of the plant's own script removed the long-
standing error which divided the vegetable world into sensitive and
insensitive. The remarkable performance of the Praying Palm Tree of
Faridpore, which bows, as if to prostrate itself, every evening, is only one of
the latest instances which show that the supposed insensibility of plants and
still more of rigid tree is to be ascribed to wrong theory and defective
observation. My investigations show that all plants, even the trees, are fully
alive to changes of environment; they respond visibly to all stimuli, even to
the slight fluctuations of light caused by a drifting cloud. This series of
investigations has completely established the fundamental identity of life-
reactions in plant and animal, as seen in a similar periodic insensibility in
both, corresponding to what we call sleep; as seen in the death-spasm,
which takes place in the plant as in the animal. This unity in organic life is
also exhibited in that spontaneous pulsation which in the animal is heart-
beat; it appears in the identical effects of stimulants, anaesthetics and of

poisons in vegetable and animal tissues. This physiological identity in the
effect of drugs is regarded by leading physicians as of great significance in
the scientific advance of Medicine; since here we have a means of testing
the effect of drugs under conditions far simpler than those presented by the
patient far subtler too, as well as more humane than those of experiments on
animals.

Growth of plants and its variations under different treatment is instantly
recorded by my Crescograph. Authorities expect this method of
investigation will advance practical agriculture; since for the first time we
are able to analyse and study separately the conditions which modify the
rate of growth. Experiments which would have taken months and their
results vitiated by unknown changes, can now be carried out in a few
minutes.

Returning to pure science, no phenomena in plant life are so extremely
varied or have yet been more incapable of generalisation than the "tropic"
movements, such as the twining of tendrils, the heliotropic movements of
some towards and of others away from light, and the opposite geotropic
movements of the root and shoot, in the direction of gravitation or away
from it. My latest investigations recently communicated to the Royal
Society have established a single fundamental reaction which underlies all
these effects so extremely diverse.

Finally, I may say a word of that other new and unexpected chapter
which is opening out from my demonstration of nervous impulse in plants.
The speed with which the nervous impulse courses through the plant has
been determined; its nervous excitability and the variation of that
excitability have likewise been measured. The nervous impulse in plant and
in man is found exalted or inhibited under identical conditions. We may
even follow this parallelism in what may seem extreme cases. A plant
carefully protected under glass from outside shocks, looks sleek and
flourishing; but its higher nervous function is then found to be atrophied.
But when a succession of blows is rained on this effect and bloated
specimen, the shocks themselves create nervous channels and arouse anew

the deteriorated nature. And is it not shocks of adversity, and not cotton-
wool protection, that evolve true manhood?

A question long perplexing physiologists and psychologists alike is that
concerned with the great mystery that underlies memory. But now through
certain experiments I have carried out, it is possible to trace "memory
impressions" backwards even in inorganic matter, such latent impressions
being capable of subsequent revival. Again the tone of our sensation is
determined by the intensity of nervous excitation that reaches the central
perceiving organ. It would theoretically be possible to change the tone or
quality of our sensation, if means could be discovered by which the nervous
impulse would become modified during transit. Investigation on nervous
impulse in plants has led to the discovery of a controlling method, which
was found equally effective in regard to the nervous impulse in animal.

Thus the lines of physics, of physiology and of psychology converge
and meet. And here will assemble those who would seek oneness amidst the
manifold. Here it is that the genius of India should find its true blossoming.

The thrill in matter, the throb of life, the pulse of growth, the impulse
coursing through the nerve and the resulting sensations, how diverse are
these and yet how unified! How strange it is that the tremor of excitation in
nervous matter should not merely be transmitted but transmuted and
reflected like the image on a mirror, from a different plane of life, in
sensation and in affection, in thought and in emotion. Of these which is
more real, the material body or the image which is independent of it? Which
of these is undecaying, and which of these is beyond the reach of death?

It was a woman in the Vedic times, who when asked to take her choice
of the wealth that would be hers for the asking, inquired whether that would
win for her deathlessness. What would she do with it, if it did not raise her
above death? This has always been the cry of the soul of India, not for
addition of material bondage, but to work out through struggle her self-
chosen destiny and win immortality. Many a nation had risen in the past and
won the empire of the world. A few buried fragments are all that remain as
memorials of the great dynasties that wielded the temporal power. There is,

however, another element which find its incarnation in matter, yet
transcends its transmutation and apparent destruction: that is the burning
flame born of thought which has been handed down through fleeting
generations.

Not in matter, but in thought, not in possessions or even in attainments
but in ideals, are to be found the seed of immortality. Not through material
acquisition but in generous diffusion of ideas and ideals can the true empire
of humanity be established. Thus to Asoka to whom belonged this vast
empire, bounded by the inviolate seas, after he had tried to ransom the
world by giving away to the utmost, there came a time when he had nothing
more to give, except one half of an Amlaki fruit. This was his last
possession and anguished cry was that since he had nothing more to give,
let the half of the Amlaki be accepted as his final gift.

Asoka's emblem of the Amlaki will be seen on the cornices of the
Institute, and towering above all is the symbol of the thunderbolt. It was the
Rishi Dadhichi, the pure and blameless, who offered his life that the divine
weapon, the thunderbolt, might be fashioned out of his bones to smite evil
and exalt righteousness. It is but half of the Amlaki that we can offer now.
But the past shall be reborn in a yet nobler future. We stand here to-day and
resume work to-morrow so that by the efforts of our lives and our unshaken
faith in the future we may all help to build the greater India yet to be.

THE PRAYING PALM OF FARIDPUR
Under the presidency of Lord Ronaldshay Sir J. C. Bose delivered a
lecture on Friday the 4th January 1918, at the "Bose Institute" on 'The
Praying Palm-tree.' He said:

Perhaps no phenomenon is so remarkable and shrouded with greater
mystery as the performances of a particular palm tree near Faridpore. In the
evening while the temple bells ring calling upon people to prayer, this tree

bows down as if prostrate itself. It erects its head again in the morning, and
this process is repeated every day during the year. This extraordinary
phenomenon has been regarded as miraculous, and pilgrims have been
attracted in great numbers. It is alleged that offerings made to the tree, that
is to say to the custodian of the tree, have been the means effecting
marvellous cures. It is not necessary to pronounce any opinion on the
subject; these cures may be taken as effective as other faith cures now so
fashionable in the West.

I first obtained photographs of the two positions which proved the
phenomenon to be real. The next thing was to devise special apparatus to
record continuously the movement of the tree day and night. But difficulties
were encountered in getting the consent of the proprietor to attach foreign
instruments to the sacred tree. His misgivings were however removed when
it was explained that the instruments were pure Swadeshi, being made in
my Laboratory. The records of the Palm Tree showed that it fell with the
rise of temperature, and rose with the fall. Records obtained with other trees
brought out the extraordinary and unsuspected fact that all trees are moving
—such movements being in response to changes in their environment.

SENSITIVE OR INSENSITIVE?

That not a "Mimosa" alone, but all plants are sensitive was
demonstrated by some striking experiments. A spiral tendril, under electric
shock was shown to writhe imitating the contortions of a tortured worm. In
ordinary plants, all sides being equally sensitive contraction takes place on
all directions with resulting neutral effect. Another striking experiment was
to show how ordinary plants could be made sensitive by the mere process of
amputation of the balancing half? Further experiments were shown
demonstrating the effects of light, of warmth and other stimuli on the plant.
Warmth worked antagonistically to light. The numerous permutations
brought about by two changing variations were shown by a mechanical
hand, which traced most complicated curves. In actual life the number of
changing factors are very numerous, hence the intricacy involved in the
manifestations of life.

The experiments that have been shown will help the audience to realise
in some measure that the world we live in is not a theatre of caprice or
chance, but that an all pervading law holds and regulates its destiny. We
have seen that the vast expanse of life which is unvoiced, seemingly, so
impassive, is instinct with sensibility. Thus the whole of the vegetable
world, including rigid trees perceive the changes in their environment and
respond to them by unmistakable signals. They thrill under light and
become depressed by darkness; the warmth of summer and frost of winter,
drought and rain, these and many other happenings leave a subtle
impression on the life of the plant. By invention of apparatus of extreme
delicacy, it is possible to make the plant itself write down the history of its
own experience in a hieroglyphic which it is possible to decipher. From
these pages, taken from the diary of the plant, it will perhaps be possible
some day to get an insight into the great mystery that surrounds life itself.
For I shall in the course of lectures given here show how the life of plants is
a mere reflection of our own. I shall show how shocks and wounds affect
them as they affect animals; how a common death-throb marks the crisis
when life passes into death. The exuberance of life, on the other hand, will
be shown by pulsing throbs of animal's heart and spontaneous beat in
vegetal tissues. Another aspect of this exuberance will be shown in the
imperceptible growth of plants. My recently invented Crescograph, to be
exhibited at my lecture a fortnight hence, will magnify growth a million-
fold and record ultra microscopic movements, smaller than a single wave
length of light. By this apparatus growth will be instantaneously recorded
and conditions which foster or inhibit growth discriminated. I shall
demonstrate my discovery of the nervous system in plants, and show how
shocks from without pass within, and how this nervous impulse modified
during transit. It will further be shown how various stimulants, anesthetics
and poison induce effects which are identical in man and in plant. It will be
obvious how these studies will open new fields of inquiry in different
branches of science; in Physiology and Psychology; in Medicine and in
Agriculture.

—Amrita Bazar Patrika, 7-1-1918.

VISUALISATION OF GROWTH
Sir J. C. Bose delivered on the 18th January 1918, at the Bose Institute,
the second of the series of discourses on revelations of plant life. This time
the audience had the opportunity of witnessing the working of Bose's newly
perfected Crescograph which is undoubtedly one of the marvels in modern
Science. For this apparatus gives a visual demonstration of movements
which are far beyond the highest powers of microscope. The invisible
internal workings of life are thus for the first time revealed to man.

LAW VERSUS CAPRICE

The lecturer first described the infinite variations in life reactions in
plants. The same external stimulus, he said apparently produces one effect
in one plant; and precisely opposite in another. Some leaves move towards
light; others are repelled by it. The root bends towards the centre of the
earth, the shoot rises above away from it. Numerous other "tropic"
movements are caused by contact, by electricity, by moisture and by
invisible radiations. These effects appear so extremely diverse and
capricious that some of the leading physiologists were forced to come to the
conclusion that there was no law guiding such movement, but that the plant
decides for itself what should be the effect of external conditions on it.

RECORD OF GROWTH

Most of these tropic movements are brought about by changes induced
in growth by the action of different forces. But growth is so excessively
slow that slight changes induced in it is impossible of detection. The
proverbially slow paced snail moves two thousand times faster than the
growing point of a plant. Hence to visualise growth and its changes,
apparatus has to be invented which would magnify growth something like a
million times. If such a thing were possible the pace of the snail would be
quickened to the speed of a rifle bullet. The difficulties in connection with
the devising and construction of apparatus with this extraordinary power

appeared at first an impossibility. The Jewels for the fittings of the
apparatus could not be found fine enough. The lecturer had to discard
ordinary jewels for diamonds, such bearings being only made in Germany.
But the outbreak of the war put an end to this source of supply. He had then
to turn to resources available in India.

ADVANCE OF AGRICULTURE

The invention of method for immediate record of growth and its
variations under various conditions is one of immense practical importance.
Experiments on gigantic scales are in progress all over the world for this
purpose. At Rothamstead, this work has been going on for more than half a
century. The great Department of Agriculture in Mashington spends
millions every year on such experiments, there being a thousand men
employed in research. Recently many experiments have been undertaken on
the effect of electricity on growth. The results obtained have been mostly
contradictory. For real advance in agriculture we must first discover the
laws of growth. Ordinary experiments on growth are of little value because
they take weeks for detecting changes of growth which might have been
brought about by charges in the environment. The only satisfactory method
is to devise an apparatus which would make the plant itself record the rate
of its growth, and the changes induced by food or treatment in the course of
less than a minute, during which short time it is possible to maintain
external conditions constant.

THE MAGNETIC CRESCOGRAPH

All the difficulties connected with the devising of apparatus has been
completely removed by the lecturer's successful invention of his new
magnetic crescograph in which practically unlimited magnification is
obtained without the difficulties arising from the unavoidable friction of
bearings. Magnetic forces are so exactly balanced that a disturbance in the
balance caused by slightest movements such as that of growth is magnified
ten millions of times. The application of this new principle will be of great
importance in various investigations in Physics.

Sir J. C. Bose next demonstrated some marvellous results obtained with
his apparatus. A seedling which on account of the Winter season appeared
stationary jotted down by taps on a moving plate, the rate of its growth. The
application of a chemical instantly arrested this growth, but an antidote
timely applied, not only removed the torpor but enhanced the growth at an
enormous rate. The life of the plant became pliant at the will of the
experimenter, and nothing appeared more marvellous than the realisation
that man has the power to pierce the veil that shrouds the mystery that had
hitherto baffled him.

The lecturer explained how the effect of a given agent—a chemical
solution or an electric current—is profoundly modified by the dose a given
intensity, producing one effect and a different intensity giving rise to an
effect diametrically opposite. This is the reason of the inexplicable
anomalies which have baffled many investigators. Numerous are the forces
which act on growth some helping, others retarding, the effects being
further modified by the strength and duration of application. These factors
that determine growth are each to be studied in detail, and the laws of effect
of each to be discovered. There can be no real advance in scientific
agriculture until this is done.

—Amrita Bazar Patrika, 19-1-1918.

SIR J. C. BOSE AT BOMBAY.
There was a brilliant gathering at the Royal Opera House on Tuesday
the 22nd January 1918, when Sir Jagadis Bose gave a deeply interesting
lecture on the history of the inception of his Institute in Calcutta and its
aims together with an exposition of his scientific researches illustrated by
lantern slides. The theatre was full long before the lecture commenced and
several prominent people were present the bulk of the audience consisting
of Indians.

Mr. Tilak in introducing the distinguished lecturer to the audience
referred to Professor Bose's lasting services not only to the Indian nation
but to the whole world. These references to Dr. Bose and his work elicited
frequent applause from the large audience.

A FIFTY THOUSAND RUPEES LECTURE.

Sir Jagadis, who was accorded a most enthusiastic ovation on rising to
address the gathering, acknowledged his gratitude to the public of Bombay
who proved their appreciation of his work by their presence there that
evening, and the fact that they had subscribed Rs. 50,000 for the occasion.
He then gave a brief explanatory account of the nature and scope of his
work, which he had planned and carried out alone for many years amidst
many and varied difficulties. He gave an exposition by the aid of one of the
delicate instruments of his own invention of how plants respond to various
sounds and tunes and the beautiful colour display which was observed in
this connection appeared as though he were a magician with a wand.

PLANTS UNDER ANAESTHETICS

The Doctor explained the meaning and significance of the thunderbolt
which has been adopted as the symbol of the institution. He explained also
the special uses to which the various parts of the buildings would be put.
The fact was brought out that the entire building and grounds had been
designed to suit the special needs of the Institute and care had been taken to
make it as far as possible self contained. An interesting feature of the
garden close to that portion which forms the residence of Sir Jagadis was
the open platform perched above two trees, transplanted under anaesthetic
conditions. A variety of apparatus is displayed under these trees and the
platform is intended for observation or meditation or both. Dr. Bose here
explained how trees when transplanted frequently died under the shock of
the operation just as human being sometimes died, not from an operation
but from the shock caused thereby. Similarly he had discovered and proved
that trees could, like human beings, go through severe operations and
survive the shock, if placed under the influence of an anaesthetic.

SOME PHENOMENA OF PLANT LIFE

The Professor explained next other experiments which he had
performed on plants and whose results had exhibited the close parallel
which plant life bears to human life. With the aid of another delicate
instrument he showed how the growth of plants can be influenced by drugs
and the demonstration on the screen of the manner in which the slow
growth of a plant can be thus expedited was one of extraordinary interest.
One was able to see the flame of life moving up the screen and recording at
intervals the stages of growth, a lengthening of the intervals between each
recorded glow illustrating the acceleration of growth as soon as the drug
was applied. The instruments necessary to record this phenomenon are of
extraordinary delicacy, and barely survived the strain of the journey from
Calcutta.

ELECTRICITY AND AGRICULTURE

The last experiment was in regard to the effect of electricity on plant
life. He referred particularly to the fact that it was his aim to discover the
law of growth and atrophy among plants. Such a discovery had a great
bearing on the future of agriculture and would revolutionise world thought.
Electricity, he explained and illustrated, would promote or retard the growth
of life by reaction. In England and other countries electricity had been
applied to agriculture but without exact knowledge of its varying effect on
plant life. He then showed by another apparatus of extreme delicacy that
electricity might retard and even repel as well as promote the growth of
plant life. But if the law of growth and decay could be ascertained, it was
possible to regulate the control of life under most varied conditions.

—Amrita Bazar Patrika, 29-1-1918.

UNITY OF LIFE

Under the auspices of the Bombay University, Sir Jagadis Chundar Bose
delivered on Thursday, the 31st January 1918, a lecture on the "Unity of
Life." It was illustrated by lantern slides and an instructive exposition was
given of some of his unique discoveries in the realm of Plant Life....

HIDDEN HISTORY IN PLANTS LIFE

"The subject of my address to-night is the 'Unity of Life.' Under a placid
exterior there is a hidden history on the life of the plant. Is it possible to
make the plants write down their own autographs and thus reveal their
history? In order to succeed in this we have first to discover some
compulsive force which will make the plant give an answering signal,
secondly, we have to invent some instrument of extreme delicacy for the
automatic conversion of these signals into an intelligent script; and last of
all, we have ourselves to learn the nature of the hieroglyphics."

Sir J. C. Bose then explained the principle of his epoch-making
Resonant Recorder which writes down the perception period of the plant
within a thousandth part of a second, and writes down the action of light
and warmth and drugs on the plant; the effect of vitiated air, of passing
clouds, of excess of food and of drink.

"The plant is very human in its virtues and weakness. Plants like
animals become exalted, grow tired or despond. An easy green-house life
makes them less than themselves, overgrown and flabby, capable of
response, till they have become hardened by adversity to a fuller existence.
A time comes when after an answer to a supreme shock, there is a sudden
end of the plant's power to give any further response. This supreme shock is
the shock of death. Even in this crisis there is no immediate change in the
placid appearance of the plant. Drooping and withering are events that
occur long after death itself. How does the plant then give its last answer?
In man at the critical moment a spasm passes through the whole body and
similarly in the plant I find a great contractile spasm takes place. This is
accompanied by an electrical spasm also. In the script of the Death

Recorder the line that up to this time was being drawn, become suddenly
reversed and then ends. This is the last answer of the plant.

"These our mute companions, silently growing beside our door, have
now told us the tale of their life-tremulousness and their death-spasm in
script that is as inarticulate as they. May it not be said that this story has a
pathos of its own beyond any that we may have conceived?

"We have now before our mind's eye the whole organism of the
perceiving, throbbing and responding plant, a complex unity and not a
congeries of unrelated parts. The barriers which separated kindred
phenomena in the plant and animal are now thrown down. Thus community
throughout the great ocean of life is seen to outweigh apparent dissimilarity
Diversity is swallowed up in unity.

"In realising this, is our sense of final mystery of things deepened or
lessened? Is our sense of wonder diminished when we realise in the infinite
expanse of life that is silent and voiceless the foreshadowings of more
wonderful complexities? Is it not rather that science evokes in us a deeper
sense of awe? Does not each of her new advances gain for us a step in that
stairway of rock which all must climb who desire to look from the mountain
tops of the spirit upon the promised land of truth?"

Sir Jagadis then gave a most interesting exposition of his researches
with the aid of magic lantern slides.

SENSITIVENESS IN PLANTS

Referring first of all his discovery of sensitiveness in plants, he said that
in that respect they were akin to the human system. He illustrated this truth
by a demonstration of the reaction that takes place in the frog when a shock
is communicated and side by side presenting the reaction that is similarly
effected in the plant. "Plants have a nervous system like our own," he said,
and with the aid of an enlarged illustration of the mimosa he showed the
changes that took place when the plant was disturbed. Turning to plant
autograph, he spoke of the Resonant Recorder, a special apparatus which he

has invented to prove how even plants are tuned to environment. Certain
tunes had no effect on plants, he said, while others had and he asked them
specially to observe the beautiful and variegated colour formation produced
by their response to tunes. He gave an interesting experiment on this point,
and both Lord and Lady Willingdon tried it. There was a great outburst of
cheering, which was renewed each time the effect was produced, and it was
noticed that the cheering, which was vociferous had its own effect. It had
taken him a long time, he said, to produce and perfect the complete
apparatus to determine the latent mimosa and by the aid of that apparatus,
he was able to record the movement of the plant to one thousandth of a
second.

He next went on to say that all plants were endowed like ourselves, but
at first the news was received with great scepticism. He did not despair,
however, of success and was continuously engaged in discovering, in
collecting fresh evidence. Thanks to the action of the Government of India
in sending him on a world tour, he got at last the opportunity to prove
before the scientific societies of the world, the truth of his discoveries. An
illustration of the Mimosa which has accompanied him in his world tour
was screened.

The next illustration was to show how long plants took to feel shock and
what time they took to recover. Like the great human system plants were
subject to periodic conscianimal [sic., consciousness?] had their periods of
sleep and awakening. The extra water pressure produced during sunset had
nothing to do with true sleep. Plants, too, were subject to exaltation and
depression and at certain hours of the day they were fully conscious and
active while at other hours they were dormant and lazy. He showed by
means of a chart that they were fast asleep between 6 and 9 in the morning
and his humorous remark that in that respect they had taken a leaf from our
modern society ladies provoked a great deal of laughter. A series of records
were then shown to illustrate the various degrees of plant consciousness,
which were deeply appreciated by the audience.

Proceeding Dr. Bose said that plants were far more conscious of nature
than human beings and described his experience how plants were sensitive

even to passing clouds, which produced on them a depressing effect. He
spoke of the difference between thin and wiry grown plants and those that
were stout and robust. In that respect they resembled again human beings
and thin and wiry grown plants were far more susceptible of excitement
than the others. They, too, needed rest and without it, they were flabby and
depressed. A cartoon from the London "Punch" entitled "A successful Trial"
was screened to the merriment of the audience, in which the Professor was
humorously depicted by that journal, after his exposition before the Royal
Institute in London. He 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
CO2, 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 for
presiding at the meeting. Lord Willingdon, in acknowledging it, said that
the vote of thanks was due to Sir Jagadis rather than to himself. As he had
anticipated in the beginning, the lecture had proved absorbingly interesting
and he was afraid Sir Jagadis's discoveries might be positively alarming
when he next visited Bombay. He hoped that they would accord Sir Jagadis
a hearty vote of thanks with "true Bombay cordiality." After a few suitable
remarks by Sir Jagadis the meeting terminated.

—Amrita Bazar Patrika, 5-2-1918.

THE AUTOMATIC WRITING OF THE PLANT
On the 8th February 1918, Sir J. C. Bose delivered the following
discourse on 'The Automatic Writing of the Plant,' at the Bose institute:—

Sir J. C. Bose spoke of two different ways of gaining knowledge, the
lesser way is by dwelling on superficial differences, the mental attitude
which makes some say 'Thank God I am not like others:' The other way is
to realise an essential unity in spite of deceptive appearance to the contrary.
He had recently been on a visit to the western Presidency, he went there as a

stranger, but he has come back with a pang at parting from kindreds. Never
in his life did he realise so vividly as now the great unity that drew together
all who regarded India as their home and place of work. They were bound
to each other by mutual ties of dependence. He had for many years been
engaged in discovering community in physical manifestations of life. Now
he has realised an abiding unity in the highest manifestations of human life,
in community of thoughts and ideals.

In the wide expanse of life itself few things would appear so strikingly
different as the life activities in plants and in animals. But if in spite of the
seeming differences, it could be proved that these life activities are
fundamentally similar, this would undoubtedly constitute a scientific
generalisation of very great importance. It would then follow that the
complex mechanism of the animal machine, that baffled us so long, need
not remain inscrutable for all time, for the intricate problems of animal
physiology would then naturally find their solution in the study of
corresponding problems under simpler conditions of vegetative life. That
would mean an enormous advance in the science of physiology, of
agriculture, of medicine, and even of psychology.

How then are we to know what unseen changes take place within the
plant? The only conceivable way would be, if that were possible, to detect
and measure the actual response of the organism to a definite testing blow.
When an animal receives an external shock it may answer in various ways;
If it has voice, by a cry, if dumb, by the movement of its limbs. The external
shock is the stimulus, the answer of the organism is the response. If we can
make it give some tangible response to a questioning shock, then we can
judge the condition of the plant by the extent of the answer. In an excitable
condition the feeblest stimulus will evoke an extraordinarily large response,
in a depressed state even a strong stimulus evokes only a feeble response,
and lastly, when death has overcome life, there is an abrupt end of the
power to answer at all.

Prof. Bose then explained the principle and action of his apparatus by
which the plant attached to it is automatically excited by successive stimuli
which are absolutely constant. In answer to this the plant makes its own

responsive records, goes through its own period of recovery, and embarks
on the same cycle over again without assistance from the observer at any
point. In this way the effect of changed external conditions is seen recorded
in the script made by the plant itself.

It has been thought that plants like mimosa alone were sensitive. But Sir
J. C. Bose's apparatus demonstrated the unsuspected fact that every plant
and every organ of every plant answered to a shock by a contractile spasm,
as by an animal muscle. If perception of feeble stimulus be taken as a
measure of ascent in the scale of life then the superiority of man must be
established on a foundation more secure than sensibility. The most sensitive
organ by which we can detect electric current is our tongue. An average
European can perceive a current as feeble as six micro-amperes, a micro-
ampere being a millionth part of the electric unit. Possibly the tongue of a
Celt is more excitable, and I have no doubt that my countrymen can easily
boast the Celt in this particular test. But the plant mimosa is ten times more
excitable than the tongue of an advocate in this province.

Professor Bose then showed how identical were the effects of light,
warmth and various drugs on the plant and animal. These experiments bring
the plant much nearer than we ever thought. We find that it is not a mere
mass of vegetative growth, but that its every fibre is instinct with
sensibility. We are able to record the throbbings of its pulsating life, and
find these wax and wane according to the life conditions of the plant, and
cease in the death of the organism. In these and many other ways the life
reactions in plant and man are alike, and thus through the experience of the
plant, it may be possible to alleviate the sufferings of man.

—Amrita Bazar Patrika, 9-2-1918.

CONTROL OF NERVOUS IMPULSE

At the first anniversary meeting of the Bose institute, held on the 30th
November 1918, Sir J. C. Bose gave the following discourse on his recent
discoveries relating to the question of control of nervous impulse, under the
Presidency of His Excellency Lord Ronaldshay, Governor of Bengal.

It is one of the greatest of all mysteries how we are put in connection
with the external world: how blows from without are felt within. Our organs
of sensation are like so many antennae radiating in various directions and
picking up messages of many kinds. All of these, when analysed to their
utmost, consist of shock effects on different chords. An extremely feeble
stimulus is below the limit of perception, a moderate stimulus transmits
excitation, which is perceived as sensation of not an unpleasant character,
but the tone of sensation becomes painful when the excitation is very
intense. Our sensation is thus coloured by the intensity of the nervous
excitation that reaches the central organ. We are subject to human
limitations, through the imperfection of our senses on the one hand, and
over-sensibility on the other. There are happenings which elude us because
the impinging stimulus is too feeble to waken our senses; the external
shock, on the other hand, may be so intense as to fill our life with pain.

Since we have no direct power over the shocks which come to us from
the outside world, is it possible to control the nervous impulse so that it
should be exalted in one case, and inhibited or obliterated in the other?
Does advance of science hold any such

possibility? This question is plainly fraught with high significance.

PROBLEM OF CONTROL OF NERVOUS IMPULSE

Before proceeding further it will be necessary first to obtain a clear idea
of the function of a nervous tissue and its characteristics; secondly the
manner, in which the nervous impulse is propagated; and lastly, we have to
discover some compulsive force by which the impulse may be intensified or
inhibited during transit. The nerve circuit may be liked to an electric circuit,
and invisible impulse bringing about response in the indicator, be it the
brain or the galvanometer. In the electric circuit the conducting power of the
metallic wire is constant, and the intensity of the electric impulse depends
on the intensity of the electric force applied. If the conducting power of the
nerve were constant then the intensity of the nervous impulse and its
resulting sensation would depend inevitably on the intensity of the shock
from outside which starts the impulse. In that case the possibility of the
modification of our sensation would be an impossibility. But there may be a
likelihood that the power of conduction possessed by a nerve is not constant
but capable of change. Should this surmise prove to be correct then we
arrive at the momentous conclusion that sensation itself is modifiable,
whatever the external stimulus. For the modification of nervous impulse
there remains only one alternative; namely, some power to render the
vehicle a very much better conductor or a non-conductor according to
particular requirements. We require the nervous path to the supra-
conducting to have the impulse due to feeble stimulus brought to sensory
prominence. When the external blow is too violent we would block the
painful impulse by rendering the nerve a non-conductor.

Under narcotic the nerve becomes paralysed and we can by its use save
ourselves from pain. But such heroic measures are to be resorted to in
extreme cases, as when we are under the surgeon's knife. In actual life we
are confronted with unpleasantness without notice. A telephone subscriber
has an evident advantage, for he can switch off the connection when the
message begins to be unpleasant. Statesmen or politicians have been known
to cultivate convenient deafness; but that is a mere pretence. The unpleasant

things heard, would still continue to rankle. It is not every one that has the
courage of Mr. Herbert Spencer who openly resorted to his ear plugs
whenever his visitor became tedious.

The lecturer then explained that the propagation of nervous impulse is a
phenomenon of transmission of molecular disturbance. It occurred to him
that the transmission could be controlled if he succeeded in discovering a
compulsive force which would confer on the conducting particles two
opposite molecular dispositions, one of which would exalt and the other
resist the impulse. His experiments were first conducted with the primitive
type of nerve which he had previously discovered in plants. In full
confirmation of his theory, he succeeded in conferring on the nervous tissue
two opposite dispositions. Under favourable disposition the nerve is
rendered supra-conducting; subliminal stimulus now becomes fully
perceived. Under the opposite molecular disposition the violent impulse due
to excessive stimulus becomes weakened or arrested during transit, and the
plant remains quite unaffected by the external shock.

The lecturer has in his previous works demonstrated the unity of life-
reactions in the plant and animal. A climax is now reached when by the
application of identical treatment he is able to confer alternately on the
same animal nerve, supra-conducting or non-conducting property at will.
Under a particular molecular disposition the experimental frog perceived
and responded to stimulus which had hitherto been below its threshold of
perception. Under the opposite disposition violent tetanic spasm caused by
the irritant salt applied to the nerve became at once quelled. The normal
property of the nerve was at once restored on the withdrawal of the
predisposing force.

MAN VICTORIOUS OVER CIRCUMSTANCE

Thus by the control of molecular disposition of the conducting nerve,
nervous impulse, and the resulting sensation may become profoundly
modified. The external is not so overwhelmingly dominant, and man is not
to be merely passive in the hands of destiny. There is a latent power which

would raise him above the terrors of his inimical surroundings. It remains
with him that the channels through which the outside world reach him
should, at his command be widened or become closed. It may thus be
possible for him to catch those indistinct messages that had hitherto eluded
him or he may withdraw within himself, so that in his inner realm, the
jarring notes and the din of the world should no longer affect him.

The whole audience heard the discourse with spell bound interest. The
Indian Scientist came to that realisation by experiments at which the Indian
Jogis of yore arrived by intuition. Following an absolutely original line
inventing his own apparatus of the most simple yet subtle delicacy and
having constructed them by the hands of Indian artisans, working without
collaborators and with the smallest modicum of recognition by his fellow
scientists, he has pursued his investigation to a result which has been a
revelation to the whole world. Dr. Bose has proved that man and plant are
one body and life in their physiology, in their vital habits and nervous
responses. He has clearly demonstrated that nervous life in the plant
responds to the same stimuli as in human beings. He has established
between animal and plant a unity of incipient mind. The plant not only lives
and dies, wakes and sleeps but it makes the responses which in animal
would be pleasure and pain.

Dr. Bose has made a great step towards the unification of knowledge. A
bridge has been built between man and inert matter. Even if we take Dr.
Bose's experiments with metals in conjunctions with his experiments on
plants, we may hold it to be practically proved for the thinker that Life in
various degrees of manifestation and organisation is omnipresent in Matter
and is no foreign introduction or accidental development, but was always
that to be evolved.

The ancient thinkers knew well that life and mind exist everywhere in
essence and vary only by the degree and manner of their emergencies and
functionings. All is in all and it is out of complete involution that the
complete evolution progressively appears. It is only appropriate that for a
descendant of the race of ancient thinkers who formulated that knowledge,
should be reserved the privilege of initiating one of the most important

among the many discoveries by which experimental science is confirming
the wisdom of his forefathers.

—Amrita Bazar Patrika, 4-12-1918.

MARVELS OF GROWTH AS REVEALED BY
THE "MAGNETIC CRESCOGRAPH"
[Sir J. C. Bose has recently invented the "Magnetic" crescograph. It is a
supersensitive instrument and the very high magnification obtained by it
surpasses all existing appliances. By this instrument, phenomena hitherto
beyond the reach of investigation can now be studied with great precision.
It shows ultra-microscopic changes inducted in a growing organism even by
a puff of smoke or a gentle breeze, by a passing cloud or fleeting brightness.
This super magnifier was exhibited for the first time by Sir J. C. Bose
before an appreciative gathering 10-1-1919. A number of lady students,
professors, lawyers, doctors and several eminent personages gathered to
hear the great Indian scientist.]

In his Discourse on the above subject on Friday, Sir J. C. Bose
illustrated how the limitations imposed on the advance of science by the
imperfection of our senses, may stimulate the invention of supersensitive
apparatus which reveals to us the existence of phenomena hitherto
unknown. Thus the invention of the microscope from a simple lens
magnifying 3 or 4 times into progress up to 1500 diameters has given birth
to new sciences. But still higher magnification is demanded in unravelling
the mystery of movements associated with the simplest type of life as seen
in plants. Greatest potentiality in life is often latent; the gigantic banian tree
grows out of a thing which is smaller than the mustard seed. Within the
seed-coat the dormant life remains in safety, protected from dangers
outside. The seeds may thus be subjected without harm to cold so intense as
will freeze mercury into solid and air into liquid. Winds and hurricanes
scatter the seed of life and the cocoa-nut rides the tumultuous waves till

anchored safe in an island yet to be inhabited. In due season there begins a
series of most astonishing transformations; the latent life wakens, and the
seedling begins to grow. The root turns downwards and the shoot upwards.
Underground, the root winds its way round stones and obstacles towards
moist places. Above ground the stem bends as if in search of light. Tendrils
twine about a support. These visible movements are striking enough, but
within the unruffled exterior of the plant body there are others, energetic
and incessant, which escape our scrutiny. The bending of a growing organ
towards or away from stimulus must be due to unequal growth on two sides
of the organ, a retardation of growth on the proximal or acceleration on the
distant sides. Various theories have been advanced which have proved
inadequate. For the identical stimulus of gravity produces one kind of
curvature in the root and the very opposite in the shoot. The possibility of
direct experimental investigation has been frustrated by the excessive slow
rate of growth rendering accurate measurement impossible.

THE SLOWNESS OF GROWTH

The movement of growth is two thousand times less rapid than the place
of the proverbially slow-footed snail. Taking the average annual growth in
height of a tree to be 5 ft., it will take a tree a thousand years to cover a
distance of a mile. We take a piece of 2 ft. in the course of half a second,
during the interval plant grows through a length of 1,100,000 part of an inch
or half the length of a wave of light. For investigation on the effect of
external conditions on growth we have to measure even a fraction of that
excessively small length.

The peasant has eagerly watched the growth of his plants on which his
own life and the world's depend and, even realised something of its
vicissitudes, so the vegetable physiologist has here one of the many
problems of his science. The invention of growth-measuring instruments
has thus been one of his main endeavours. He has hitherto succeeded by the
use of levers with unequal arms to obtain a magnification of about 20 times,
and even then it takes many hours for growth to become perceptible; owing
to the practical impossibility of maintaining the external conditions constant

for so many hours, the results of measurement of growth become vitiated. It
is therefore necessary to produce a magnification so high that growth
should become measurable in less than a minute. The first improvement
effected by the lecturer, now some fourteen years ago, was his Optical
Lever, which at once raised the magnification from 20 to 1000 times, an
advance which at the time seemed to many incredible, but it is at length
coming into use in advanced laboratories in Europe.

THE RECORDING CRESCOGRAPH

A new apparatus devised by the lecturer, the Recording Crescograph, is
described in the Transactions of the Royal Society, and of the Bose
Institute. By a compound system of levers the magnification is raised to
10,000 but this is not without great technical difficulties, which cost five
years of efforts to overcome. Thus the levers require to be extremely light;
this was secured by the use of an alloy of aluminium used in the
construction of Zeppelins: this combines lightness with rigidity. Another
difficulty almost unsuperable arises from the friction at the bearings of the
fulcrum, the best watch jewels made of ruby were employed, but the supply
was cut off from Germany by the war. This proved a blessing in disguise,
for it forced the lecturer to devise a new principle of suspension using local
material. This was found in practice to be far superior to jewel bearings,
which became clogged by invisible dust particles present in the air. With
this Recording Crescograph many phenomena of extreme interest have been
discovered. The plant itself not only recorded its normal rate of growth but
the slightest change induced in it by the action of different forces. So
delicate was the apparatus that it analysed growth into a series of pulses, a
sudden shooting out followed by a partial recoil. It showed how the growth
of the plant was retarded by a mere touch, and the time it took the plant to
recover from the effect of contact, and all these in course of a few seconds.
The effect of different food on growth, the effect of different drugs, or
living capacity these and many more became revealed by the automatic
record made by the plant. This has opened out fresh and more exact method
of medical inquiry, and of practical agriculture.

THE MAGNETIC CRESCOGRAPH

Such unlooked for results called for yet higher magnification, and at
first it seemed that further multiplying lever might be added to the previous
system. But this failed on account of added mass and friction; and some
altogether new solution had therefore to be sought. Material contact having
proved unworkable the ideal weightless and frictionless linking was
obtained by introducing a new magnetic contrivance, and this with the
surprising potency of magnification from 5 to 100 million times. The mind
cannot grasp the meaning of this stupendous magnification; how then could
we translate it in terms which may be understood? Let us take once more
our slow-footed snail, a magnification of ten million times would convert
its speed to something for which there is no parallel even in modern
gunnery practice. The 15 inch cannon of the "Queen Elizabeth" has a
muzzle velocity of 2360 ft. per second or 8-1/2 million feet per hour. But
the speed of the snail when magnified ten million times would render it 200
million ft. per hour or 24 times faster than the fastest cannon shot. We may
next turn to the cosmic movement for a parallel: A point in equator whirls
round at the rate of 1037 miles per hour. But a snail with the magnified
speed would beat the earth by going round 40 times during the period the
earth makes but one revolution!

LIFE IN STATE OF SUSPENSE AND ITS SUBSEQUENT
RESOLUTION

With the experiments carried with the Magnetic Crescograph life
becomes subservient to the will of the experimenter. The rate of growth is
indicated by the speed with which a spot of indicating light moves across
the scale. The actual rate of growth is fifty thousandth part of an inch per
second; this under magnification is seen by the indicating spot of light to
move at the rate of 36 inches per second: this is the normal rate. The plant is
made to imbibe soda water and the growth becomes suddenly exalted some
ten times; but a puff of tobacco smoke instantly retards the rate. To induce
further retardation a depressing drug is next applied. The growth gradually
comes to a stop and the quiescent of the spot of light shows life in a state of

suspense. The plant is now hovering in an unstable poise between life and
death, a slight tilt one way, and life gets interlocked in the rigidity of death.
But the antidote is applied just in time, the torpor and suspense is over, and
life renews her activity once more with the fullest vigour.

It is true that man is but poorly provided for his voyage of discovery in
seas unknown, he can hear little and see less. A single octave of light
circumscribes his vision; even of the visible the size of the ripple of light
imposes an impassable barrier. But he has not been deterred by his
limitations but has on the contrary been spurred on its greater efforts in his
explanation of the invisible. The mysterious movements of life are not to
remain for him inscrutable and indecipherable for all times: but his untiring
and single-minded pursuit will someday reveal to him the secret that lies
behind the manifestations of life.

—Amrita Bazar Patrika, 13-1-1919.

THE NIGHT-WATCH OF NYMPHAEA
Sir J. C. Bose gave the following Discourse on the 'Night-Watch of
Nymphaea,' at the Bose Institute, on the 24th January, 1919.

[Sir J. C. Bose's discourse delivered at the Bose Institute, on the 24th
January, 1919, dealt with the mysterious phenomenon of recurrent opening
and closure of flowers. Some of them open in the morning and close in the
evening; others do exactly the opposite opening at night and closing during
the day. These various effects have been described as the 'waking' and
'sleep' movements of plants. The subject had attracted the attention of plant
physiologists for more than half a century. After summarising the various
results lost in his recent work says that no satisfactory explanation of the
sleep movements of plants has yet been forthcoming and that the true
theory can only be established after new and exhaustive research. This
investigation has been in progress at Sir J. C. Bose's laboratory for the last

five years; and special automatic recorders have been invented by means of
which numerous plants have been recording their movements for every
hour of the day and night and for many days in succession.]

In course of his discourse the lecturer said "The poets have forestalled
the men of science. Why does the water-lily 'Kumud or Nymphaea' keep
awake all night long and close her petals during the day? Because the
water-lily is the lover of the Moon and like the human soul expanding at the
touch of the beloved, the lily opens out her heart at the touch of the moon
beam, and keeps watch all night long; she shrinks affrighted by the rude
touch of the Sun, and closes her petals during the day. The outer floral
leaves of the lily are green, and in the day time the closed flowers are
hardly distinguishable from the broad green leaves which float on the water.
The scene is transformed in the evening as if by magic, and myriads of
glistening white flowers cover the dark water.

"The recurrent daily phenomenon has not only been observed by the
poets, but an explanation offered for it. It is the moonlight then that causes
the opening of the lily, and the sunlight the movement of closure. Had the
poet taken out a lantern in a dark night; he would have noticed that the lily
opened at night in total absence of the moon; but a poet is not expected to
carry a lantern and peep out in the dark; that inordinate curiosity is
characteristic only of the man of science. Again the lily does not close with
the appearance of the sun; for the flower often remains awake up to eleven
in the forenoon. A French dictionary maker saw Cuvier, the Zoologist about
the definition of the crab as 'a little red fish which walks backwards.'
'Admirable,' said Cuvier. 'But the crab is not necessarily little, nor is it red
till boiled; it is not a fish, and it cannot walk backwards. But with these
exceptions your definition is perfect.' And so also with the poet's description
of the movement of the lily, which does not open to moonlight, nor yet
close to the sun."

THE 'SLEEP' AND 'WAKING' OF JHINGA FLOWER

The waking and sleeping of the water lily is by no means an isolated
instance. My attention was first drawn to another remarkable floral display
by the folk song which begins with:

"Our day of work is over
Like life's span, but an hour!
For now behold the gold-started fields
Of opening 'Jhinga' flowers!"

Since then I witness every afternoon a glorious transformation in my
experimental garden at Sijbaria on the Ganges. The gardener has planted a
large field with Jhinga (Luffa acutangula). The flowers when closed at day
time are very inconspicuous, the lowest whorl of the sepals being dull
green: in my afternoon walk I can hardly recognise the old familiar field,
which is now covered with masses of flower in their golden glory. Here also
the flowers remain open throughout the night; but they close early in the
morning and the fairy field of cloth of gold vanishes suddenly.

COMPLEXITY OF THE PROBLEM

The revolutions made by the plant-scripts led to the discovery of certain
new and unsuspected reactions in the life of plants, notably the influence of
variation of temperature in modifying the geotropic curvature. There are at
least ten variables, which by their joint effects give rise to over a thousand
variations in the resulting movement of plants. The effect of each of these
different factors has been isolated and a new theory propounded which
offers a complete explanation of the so called sleep movements. The life
reactions of plants to the various stimuli of the environment was most
strikingly illustrated by means of supersensitive Magnetic Crescograph. The
plant was shown to perceive the shock of light, to which it made an
answering signal, so also to the action of warmth and cold. And it was
explained how the various combinations of effects induced by
environmental change found diverse expressions in the movement of plants.

The scientific explanations offered for the opening and closing of the
water lily is that the flower is closed under sunlight and that the opening

takes place under darkness. But Prof. Bose has been able to keep the lily
awake even in day time by placing it in a cool place. Simultaneous record
of the movement of the flower and the thermograph of daily variation of
temperature proved conclusively that a rapid fall of temperature in the
evening brought about the opening of the flower, at first slowly then
rapidly, and by 10 p.m. the flower was fully expanded. About 6 a.m. in the
morning there is a rise of temperature, and the reverse movement of closure
sets in. The flower continues to close very rapidly the sleep movement of
closure is complete by about 10 a.m.

It will be seen how different flowers through their sensitiveness to heat
and cold execute movements of "sleep" or of "waking." Some of them have
the healthy habit of normal humanity to sleep at night and keep awake at
day-time. Others turn night into day, and make up for their long night watch
by sleeping it off at the day-time.
—Amrita Bazar Patrika, 25-1-1919.

WOUNDED PLANTS
Sir J. C. Bose delivered the following lecture on the 'Wounded Plants' at
the Bose Institute, on the 7th February, 1919:—

It is a little over four years now that the Embodiment of World Tragedy
stalked over Western Europe. The fair field of France and the bright sky
was under a pall of battle-smoke. Our sight could not penetrate through the
dense gloom, and the mortal cry of the wounded and dying, drowned by
hoarse roar of a thousand did not reach our ear. But from the time the Sikh
and the Pathan, the Gurkha and the Bengali, the Mahratta and the Rajput
flung themselves in front of battle from that day our perception has become
intensified. The distant cry of those whose life-blood has crimsoned the
white field of snow, has found reverberating echo in our heart. What is that
subtle bond by which all distances are bridged over, and by which an
individual life becomes merged in larger life? Sympathy is that bond by

which we come to realise the unity of all life. Before us are spread
multitudinous plants, silent and seemingly impassive. They too like us are
actors in the Cosmic drama of life, like us the play thing of destiny. In their
checkered life, light and darkness, the warmth of summer and frost of
winter, drought and rain, the gentle breeze and whirling tornadoes, life and
death alternate. Various shocks impinge on them, but no cry is raised in
answer. I shall nevertheless try to decipher some chapters of their life
history.

When a man receives a blow or shock of any kind, his answering cry
makes us realise that he is hurt, but a mute makes no outcry. How do we
realise his sufferings? We know it by his agonised look by the convulsive
movement of his limbs, and through fellow-feeling realise his pain. When a
frog is struck it does not cry, but its limbs show convulsive movement. But
from this it does not follow that the frog is not hurt, for some would urge
that there is a great gap between us and lower animals. One who feels for
the humblest of His creatures alone knows whether the frog is hurt or not.
Human sympathy always aspires: it is sometimes extended to equals, hardly
ever to inferiors. And so it happens that many would doubt, whether the
lowly and the depressed possess the fine sense of the exalted to feel the
same joy and sorrow, and to resent social tyranny. When human attitude is
so finely discriminative as regards different grades of his own species, it
might be extravagant to believe that the frog could have any consciousness
of pain. A concession might however be made that the frog perceives a
shock to which it responds by convulsive movements. It is as well that we
should be careful about the use of terms for an eminent biologist insisted
that animals never felt any pain: when an oyster is swallowed alive, it did
not, according to him, feel any pain but rather a sensation of grateful
warmth at contact with the alimentary tract. The question will remain
undecided for no one has as yet returned from the gastric cavity of the tiger
to expatiate on the exquisite sensation.

TEST OF LIVINGNESS

Responsive movements being a test of life, we shall try to construct a
scale with which the height of livingness may be measured. What is the
difference between the living and the dead? The living answers to a shock
from without; the most lively gives the most energetic, the torpid or dying
the feeblest, and the dead no answer at all. Thus life may be tested by
shocks from without, the size of the answer being the gauge of vitality. The
answer of the strong will be violent and almost explosive in its intensity,
while the weakling will barely protest. The responsive movements may be
recorded by suitable apparatus. The successive responses to similar shocks
will remain uniform, if the living tissue remained always the same. But the
living organism is always in a state of change for environment is always
building us anew, and we are changing everyday of our life. We are thus
subject to change, some day we are in a state of high exuberance, and other
time in a state of lowest depression: we pass through numerous phases
between the two extremes. Not merely does the present modify, but there is
also the subtle impress of memory of the past. The sum total of all these
characterise one individual from another. How is the hidden to be made
manifest? To test the genuineness of a coin, we strike it and the sound
response betrays the true from the false. The genuine rings true and the
other gives a false note. In this way perhaps the inner history of different
lives may be revealed by shocks and the resulting response.

EFFECT OF WOUND

There are three separate investigations that have been carried out on the
effect of wound on plants: The first is the shock effect of wound on growth:
this generally speaking retards or arrests growth. In the second series of
investigations the change of spontaneous pulsation of the leaflet of the
Telegraph plant was recorded. Death begins to spread from the cut end of
the leaflet, and reaches the throbbing tissue which becomes permanently
stilled on cessation of life. Experiments are in progress of arrest their march
of death, and the cut leaflet which died in 24 hours has now been kept alive
for more than a week.

PARALYSIS OF SENSIBILITY

Another series of investigations were carried out on the paralysing
effect of severe wound. A leaf of Mimosa was cut off from the plant, and
the subsequent histories of the wounded plant and the detached leaf are
curiously different. The cutting of one of its leaves had caused a great shock
to the parent plant, and an intense excitation spreads over to the distant
organs. All the leaves remained depressed and irresponsive for several
hours. From this state of paralysed sensibility, the plant gradually recovers
and the leaves begin to show returning sensitiveness. The detached leaf,
when placed in a nourishing solution soon recovers, and holds up its head
with an attitude indicative of defiance, and the responses it gives are
energetic. This lasts for twenty four hours, after which a curious change
creeps in the vigour of its responses begins rapidly to wane. The leaf
hitherto erect, falls over; death had at last asserted its mastery.

—Amrita Bazar Patrika, 10-2-1919.

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