4i8 NATURAL SCIENCE. June, 



has perhaps kept the record for us and done it well. That some- 

 thing of the same kind is at work in every plant and animal is so 

 obvious that it can hardly be disputed. 



It is utterly impossible to conceive of such curious and wonderful 

 contrivances as are found in the orchids, especially Coryanthes and 

 Caiasetum, originating without a purpose, and being perpetuated only 

 by the chances of Natural Selection. Given physical memory and 

 physical reason, we see at once that the difficulty is reduced to almost 

 nothing. For ages environment has been at work moulding every 

 part of the plant as it were, until it has become what we see it to-day; 

 but it cannot remain on the same level ; it must either advance or go, 

 backwards. Here individuality comes in. Why does every plant 

 and animal differ from every other ? With the same inherited 

 characters, and grown under circumstances apparently identical, 

 two seeds from one capsule produce trees differing more or less from 

 each other. Natural Selection may account for a great deal, but it 

 can hardly explain the origin of variation. Taking into account, 

 however, the fact that flowers are extremely sensitive at the period 

 of fertilisation, is it not possible that impressions may be made on 

 the plastic germ-cells which affect the new individual ? The seeds 

 in one capsule may not be all impregnated at exactly the same time, 

 and circumstances may occur in an hour, or even a few minutes, 

 which affect the one individual, then at the most critical stage of its 

 existence, to the exclusion of others in different stages. 



Many insects and plants die soon after impregnation, the males 

 almost immediately, and the females as soon as the germs of their 

 offspring are sufficiently mature. It follows, therefore, that the end 

 and aim of their whole life is to bring forth new individuals. Plants, 

 can be increased by budding and other than sexual connection, but 

 it is doubtful whether the portions so divided are equally strong with 

 those raised from seed. They are not individuals to the same degree 

 as if raised from two parents with different experiences. Then, again, 

 they have not passed through that critical period when the germ-cell 

 was highly susceptible to every external influence. 



Looking upon the trees of the forest as individuals, how interes- 

 ting they appear. Sometimes we may fancy them conscious, and, 

 instead of feeling lonely in their midst, rather think that we are in 

 good company. No longer vegetating, they lixe, strive to do their 

 duty, look out for " number one," and aim at perfection. The great 

 scrambling creepers seem to know how to get ahead at the expense 

 of others, growing longer or shorter according to circumstances, some- 

 times turning to raise themselves to great heights, or at others forming 

 dense bushes. One species has succeeded by some peculiar con- 

 trivance, and its neighbour by means entirely different. They twine 

 round or adhere to the tree-trunks as long as it suits their convenience, 

 and then stretch forth on every side, or perhaps hang in long 

 streamers almost to the ground. The mangrove extends its long 



