1893. FLOWERS IN THE GUIANA FOREST. 417 



we know, have their temperature raised several degrees, and, 

 probably, all are more or less heated for the short period when they 

 are prepared for fertilisation. Several species of Hibiscus go through 

 a series of changes of colour from morning to evening ; the Victoria 

 Regia opens the first night as a waxy white flower, and the second 

 with rosy petals. Several orchids also change colour very quickly, 

 especially after their work is accomplished. In a few hours the 

 plump waxy petals become limp, the markings spread and get diffused 

 over the lip, and the whole flower becomes unsightly. Where there 

 are male and female flowers the latter often lasts much longer, 

 and may even be perceptible for months at the apex of the seed- 

 vessel. 



What an important crisis in the life of the plant is its flowering 

 time. All its energies appear to be directed to this one end and aim. 

 We can hardly look upon it as merely vegetating, but as an indi- 

 vidual straining to accomplish the greatest work of its lifetime. 

 There are so many little tilings to be considered that, whatever our 

 ideas of Natural Selection and the chance survival of the fittest may 

 be, we are bound to think of them as sentient beings. When a man 

 fixes an hour for performing certain work, and that is the most 

 suitable and perhaps the only possible time for accomplishing it, he 

 does little more than the orchid, which, apparently, knowing that its 

 friend the insect will be on the wing from midnight to dawn, opens 

 its flowers and circulates its perfumed invitations through the 

 neighbourhood only during those few hours. 



We say, perhaps, that these actions are instinctive, but what is 

 instinct ? Is it not the accumulated experience of all past ages ? 

 Every individual, whether animal or plant, may be considered as a 

 link in a long chain of beings, the origin of which goes back to some 

 past age when the common ancestor was nothing more than a simple 

 cell. During this long period, in which so many generations have 

 passed away, what a wealth of experience must have been gained. 

 Is this lost at the death of the individual ? On the contrary, do we 

 not see that every organism has the stamp of its parentage, and we 

 can hardly be wrong in saying that not the slightest impression has 

 been made on any individual that is not perpetuated in its offspring. 

 These impressions may remain latent for generations, but never- 

 theless be ready to come to the front at any time according to 

 circumstances. 



Suppose we compare these to a composite photograph and call 

 them physical memories, is it not necessary that there should be 

 some power of selection ? Is everything done mechanically as 

 reflex action ? Can we not conceive that there may also be physical 

 reason, which works unconsciously, but at the same time always 

 towards certain well-defined ends ? When we go to sleep at night 

 with the intention of waking at a certain hour in the morning, and 

 do so perhaps to the minute, physical memory and physical reason 



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