1893. PLOVER S ING THE GUIANA, FORES®: 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 things 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 
2E 
