Authentic Science Fiction Monthly, No. 56 — page 128: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

SYMBIOSIS How it merges into delicate blues and greens!” “It’s the leaves which I find wonderful,’ Rayson would interrupt. ““They seem to think. This morning when I wanted to pour some water round the roots the leaves lifted to let me in. When I stood back and looked up they caressed me. Almost as though I was being thanked. Can they think?” “No they can’t, but they can respond to stimuli.”’ John answered the question for the hundredth time. “From my notes and the speed at which the buds are develop- ing, it seems that the final maturity will occur while I am away. The flowers will last a long time, so I will see them eventually, but it is unfortunate that at the vital moment I have to go off to discuss pond weed at a conference.” “By the way, John, you remember this idea was one which Chlorella Physis en- visaged ?”’ George said. “‘Have you told him about these?” 127 “Not yet. I hope to ask him down here so that he can see for himself. I will be seeing him at either this conference or the next, and then I will bring him along. I think he will get excited, which is something for him, and will be something for me to look forward to.” Before the buds had developed John had to leave. He had never before experi- enced such a loathing to leave the house, though later he admitted that the plants were responsible for his tardiness. The conference dragged on, and he found himself with drooping spirits. Maybe he was run down, or there may have been all kinds of reasons for his lack of interest. He did not receive his usual bulletins about the develop- ment of the flowers, and then Chlorella Physis was not at the meeting, so his news about the symbiotic plants had to be kept to himself. He returned with the know- ledge that the conference comicloooks.com