RECORD: Anon. 1881. [Review of Movement in plants]. The power of movement in plants. The Chronicle (University of Michigan), vol. 12 (26 February): 160.

REVISION HISTORY: Transcribed by Christine Chua and edited by John van Wyhe. 7.2021. RN1

 


[page] 160

THE POWER OF MOVEMENT IN PLANTS, by Charles Darwin, assisted by Francis Darwin. New York: D. Appleton & Co. For sale by John Moore. Price, $2.00.

This work is another good addition to Appleton's Scientific Library. The name of the author is sufficient to arrest our attention. The volume is a record of an elaborate series of experiments performed, and a clear exposition of the fundamental principles underlying the phenomena observed. Even the most unscientific person has observed, that the tips of climbing plants revolve; but few have reached the conclusion that all parts of the growing plant go through a certain revolution or circumnutation. Thus the author concludes that the brad sweep of the climbing plants, the ultimate position which the leaves take, the movement of plants to and from the diversified movement of circumnutation. The scientist and the general reader will find the volume acceptable. The details of the numerous experiments are printed in small type that the reader may reach the summary and conclusions, if he please, without reading all the points of less importance, such as the arrangement for experiments and the continuous observations. The candid reader hardly knows which to admire the more, the mechanical genius so admirably displayed in obtaining conditions favorable for so many different experiments, or the laborious and continuous attention necessary for so minute investigation. The book is neatly bound in cloth, and presents a very readable appearance not belied by its contents. Add, also, that it has a full alphabetical index, and we have a book that will delight the critical eye of the scientist.


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Citation: John van Wyhe, ed. 2002-. The Complete Work of Charles Darwin Online. (http://darwin-online.org.uk/)

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