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]