240 LIFE HISTORY OF A FERN. 



tions from this typical example ; but in all there is uniformity of 

 principle, and in all species of Ferns the cycle of their life-history 

 is the same, and the successive stages are similar. 



First, an independent and isolated spore, which germinates, 

 producing a prothallium bearing sexual organs. From these arise 

 in the second generation a perfect plant, possessing root, stem, and 

 leaves, non-sexual in its nature, but completing the cycle by the 

 formation of a fresh generation of spores. 



Thus, through all the ages, these living organisms have run 

 their course in never-ending cycles of life-history, all united by a 

 common brotherhood, each to each, yet each distinct and separate, 

 each one after its kind. Surely, by no fortuitous chance have 

 these various cells become differentiated to serve their purpose in 

 the economy of the living plant, but in obedience to a Divine law, 

 which had its first utterance when the Almighty Creator called 

 them into being, and gave ihem their mission in the world which 

 He had formed. Happy the eyes which can recognise the evi- 

 dences of unerring Wisdom in these beauteous forms of life, and 

 in the contemplation of their wonders " rise from Nature up to 

 Nature's God." 



Colour Experiments with Plants. — So far, those gentlemen 

 who have conducted experiments with fruits and flowers for the 

 production of diverse colouration do not seem to have met with 

 much encouragement. It seems as if Nature's wonderful ways in 

 creating so many varied and beautiful hues were secrets which 

 science has not yet succeeded in penetrating. All the same, there 

 can be no harm if experiments in other directions be continued, 

 especially in relation to apples, because we have assured, though to 

 me always a matter of doubt, that certain mineral applications to 

 the roots would produce high colour. The most interesting of 

 flowering plants to operate upon seems to be the Hydrangea. I 

 noticed in the summer plants of H. hortensia blooming in pots in 

 the conservatory at Basing Park, both pink and blue, and Mr. 

 Smythe assured me that the blue tint was produced by occasional 

 waterings with dissolved alum. Is that really so ? — "A. D.," in 

 Journal of Horticulture. 



