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.