Authentic Science Fiction Monthly, No. 56 — page 130: what you’re looking at

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

SYMBIOSIS asked, “‘you remember that idea of a plant-human sym- biosis that you once men- tioned. Did you ever try to bring it to fruition?” The old man’s eyes lighted up at the remembrance. It was only when he lifted the stooping head that one could see his eyes and his cheery red face. He sat back in his chair and wriggled deeper into the large untidy tweed suit which he always wore. ‘T gave that idea up.” He folded his hands in front of his chest. “It may be the foible of an old man, but I decided it was too dangerous.” He went on with his words and thoughts, not noticing that his first few words had almost acted as an electric shock on his listener. “You think about it, my friend. The situation of man as the superior animal or species on this wonderful little world of ours. He has been develop- ing along well-defined lines for thousands of years. Noth- ing has been able to stand against him. The lesser ani- 129 mals have been pushed into reserves or developed for food. The plants are in the same position. A few have actually had properties which could enslave the all powerful man. Tobacco, our old friend Nicotiana, has been able to get a grip on man. Then there is the opium poppy and hashish, and the more recent mescanil, all capable of en- slaving the human race and destroying it if efforts had not been made to protect man against himself and the plants. That is why I did not go ahead with my idea. If I developed a new species from the old, and took only the harmless plants to make it, some of the venom from a million years of the struggle for existence would still be there.” “You maintain, therefore, that we would be unable to control this thing?” John asked. “Man has controlled all his discoveries, but has never controlled himself. Some day, someone will produce this comicloooks.com