Note 77 — Chapter V · EVOLUTION. (continued 2)

Ferdinand Cohn, Die contractile Gewebe im Pflanzenreich, 1862. By a series of numerous well-devised experiments, Cohn found that in the stamen of the centauria a tissue exists which is excitable by the same stimula as muscle is, and which reacts like muscle, describing a similar curve when excited, and, after reaching its maximum, relaxing. Like the muscle it becomes fatigued by repeated contraction, and recovers its powers by repose. Like the muscle it may be rendered tetanic. (The researches of Dr. Burdon Sanderson and Mr. Darwin have since placed beyond a doubt the Contractility and Sensibility of certain plants.)