It grew weary, rested, and after resting was perceptibly stronger than before; it got what was practically indigestion, and it exhibited a peculiar but unmistakable memory.

Also, he found, it could acquire disease and die.
"Lillie concluded that there existed a real metallic consciousness.

It was Le Bon who first proved also that metal is more sensitive than man, and that its immobility is only apparent.

(Le Bon in 'Evolution of Matter,' Chapter eleven.) "Take the block of magnetic iron that stands so gray and apparently lifeless, subject it to a magnetic current lifeless, what happens?
The iron block is composed of molecules which under ordinary conditions are disposed in all possible directions indifferently.

But when the current passes through there is tremendous movement in that apparently inert mass.