iS93. FLOWERS IN THE GUIANA FOREST. 419 



slender arms downward, and Inanches into fingers as it nears the 

 water, feeling its way, as it were, to the most congenial places. 

 Near it is the courida, which anchors itself in the mud in a different 

 manner and has given up using props. But there at intervals up the 

 trunk are large excrescences covered with aborted aerial roots which 

 seem to indicate similar possibilities in this tree also. 



Other examples are continually forcing themselves on tlie atten- 

 tion of the naturalist, all going to prove that plants are something 

 more than creatures of circumstance. After making every possible 

 allowance for the influence of light, heat, and moisture, there still 

 remains the apparent selective power, which only seems to differ in 

 degree from that possessed by animals. Without the power of 

 locomotion, they yet extend their roots to great distances, feeling 

 around, as it were, for congenial food, and if they fail in one direction 

 try several others. Then their branches are condensed at the apex, 

 or spread out from the base upwards, according to the situation, the 

 same species, in different places, appearing quite distinct in shape 

 and size. 



But where do we find such examples of apparent selection of 

 means to particular ends as in the orchid family ? When certain 

 species provide quarters for a garrison of carnivorous ants, it is easy 

 to say that the insects found the bunch of aerial roots suitable for a 

 habitation, and that the plant did nothing. But when we see that 

 only a few orchids have developed contrivances to this end, and the 

 great advantage they derive from them, we cannot but look upon 

 them as designed for the purpose. In some cases they are so well 

 placed as not only to defy every larva and cockroach, but even 

 man himself. In our own experience, we have had to pass on and 

 leave a fine plant, because we could not risk the bites of such a host 

 as swarmed out at the least touch. 



Some flowers, as we know, secrete nectar for the express purpose 

 of feeding the insects they attract by their colours and perfumes. 

 Others attract, but provide nothing, yet the blundering insect still 

 fertilises it in his search for what is not there. When boys play 

 similar tricks, we call them practical jokers. Has the plant done this 

 either accidentally or mechanically ? Some go so far as to provide 

 traps by which insects are caught and utilised ; are these contrivances 

 also due to chance ? In the Covyantlics we have a marvellous collec- 

 tion of means to a particular end, i.e., the fertilisation of its flower. 

 By means of its perfume and colour it attracts bees, only to give 

 them a bath from which they can escape by doing its work. If a 

 man does something of a similar kind we consider him rather clever, 

 although, perhaps, not very honest. It is now generally conceded 

 that animals are reasonable beings ; to go a step farther, and allow 

 the same to plants, is almost as necessary. It does not follow that 

 because a dumb man cannot explain his thoughts that, therefore, he 

 has none. When the strong man bears pain without flinching, is it 



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