214 SAGACITY AND MORALITY OF PLANTS. 



The variability of flowers, extending through 

 every degree, from minute kinds like those of 

 our Field Speedwell to the large Field Poppy, 

 represents the relative success which has accom- 

 panied the efforts to attract insects. What a large 

 range of variation occurs in this respect in every 

 order, and even in some genera, as in that of 

 Geranmm. The same natural group often con- 

 tains both wind-fertilised and insect-fertilised plants. 

 These facts plainly indicate the mutabilities to which 

 nearly-allied species have been subjected. 



Another feature should also be noticed — the 

 inequality in the duration of the individnal lives of 

 plants. It is almost as diverse as the sizes and 

 colours of flowers. Some are annuals^ others biennials^ 

 and the most favoured are perennials, or else woody 

 shrubs and trees whose duration is very great. 

 Human life and fortune are not more capricious than 

 the fate which frequently governs the various members 

 of the same genus of plants. Take the Buttercups 

 i^Raniinculacece), Why should Rammcidus repens, 

 R. ac7Hs, and R. bidbosics be " perennial," whilst the 

 nearly-allied species Rammciilus parviflorns and R. 

 arvensis are " annuals "? It is not because the latter 

 exhaust themselves in the act of inflorescence, for 

 their flowers are smaller than those of their more 

 favoured brethren. One can understand why the 

 Poppies should be annuals, for they expend all their 

 capital in advertising — that is, in the development of 



