MISUNDERSTANDINGS. 15 



century ! Some spedes of Alpine Gentians produce 

 leaves for several years before they bear any flowers. 

 At the end of this leafing season, and as the reward 

 for such a persistent accumulation over expenditure, 

 there is a decent banking account stored up usually 

 in the shape of a root-stock or underground rhizome. 

 Then follows the season of extravagance. The 

 gorgeous development of flowers draws on every 

 molecule thus prepared for it, keeps open house 

 for insects and even birds, produces stores of seeds 

 rich in a nursery supply of nitrogen and phosphorus ; 

 in short beggars the plant, and either ruins it alto- 

 gether, or reduces it to a state of temporary bank- 

 ruptcy, from which it can only recover by perhaps 

 years of subsequent thrift ! Every horticulturist 

 knows that an abundant year of apples and pears is 

 usually followed by one of dearth. In short, the 

 " seven years of famine " are in this way contingent 

 upon the " seven years of plenty." 



The desire " to found a family " is as manifest 

 among plants as among men ! Otherwise what 

 means this slow accumulation of energy on their 

 part ? All is eventually expended in the production 

 of flowers and seeds. On the food-store possessed 

 by the latter largely depends their chances of success 

 in the battle of life. Consequently there is as great 

 a " tendency " to accumulate with plants as with 

 ourselves. "No man liveth to himself alone " (unless 

 he wishes to be perpetually branded for selfishness), 



