-4 BULLETIN OF THE NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY. 



shown in the following synopsis, which, as already em- 

 phasized, outlines a convenient rather than a logical treat- 

 ment of the entire subject. 



Introduction and Classification. Published in Bulletin Ko. XII. 



A. Adaptations of Plants to Inorganic Nature : to he prepared. 



B. Adaptations of Plants to other Organic Beings : to he prepared. 

 C Adaptations of Plants to Reproduction : in preparation. 



D. Adaptations of Plants to Locomotion : the present paper. 



E. The Biological Groups of Plants : in preparation. 

 P. The Climatic Groups of Plants : to he prepared. 



^G. A Summary of the Biological Characteristics of the Vegeta- 

 tion of Acadia : to he p)repared.* 



I. The General Subject. 



There are five great primal necessities common to all 

 living beings : nutrition, growth, protection, locomotion, 

 reproduction. Of these, locomotion, our present subject, 

 is not less important than the others, while it exceeds 

 them all in the elaboration of adaptations to bring the 

 plant into relation with its environment. A'^iewing loco- 

 motion in a broad way, we find that it must be provided 

 for in both animals and plants for the following reasons : 



1. To prevent overcrowding, so as to allow each individual 

 •enough space for its development. 



2. To effect the union of the sexes. 



* This is the original outline proposed in the tirst paper, to which, however, it is 

 not necessary closely to adhere. A more logical arrangement, and one which I shall 

 probably adopt, is as follows: Adaptations of Plants to A. Nidrition; B. Groivth; 

 C. Protection; D. Locomotion; E. Reproduction. F. Biological Groups; G. History 

 and Distribution; H. Philosophical Summary; I. Summary of Biological Charac- 

 teristics of Acadian Flora. 



I may here also emphasize such distinction as exists between Physiology and 

 Biology, though they merge together at many points. Physiology has to do with 

 the chemistry and physics of the operations, chiefly internal, of living beings, while 

 Biology treats of their adaptations to the external world. 



