General 



The little protective scales of the flower bud are modi- 

 fied leaves. In the flower one finds many other cells 

 besides those which form the important pollen of the 

 stamen or the egg-cell of the young seed. There are, for 

 instance, coloured cells, reddish or violet in the petals 

 (botanically, sepals), which protect the delicate ferments 

 at work in the supply of sugar to the seed ; hair-cells 

 which keep off undesirable insects. There are some- 

 where in the stalk of the flower sensitive cells which 

 somehow or other contract and expand, so that the 

 flower hangs its head in wet weather (when insects are 

 benumbed) and becomes erect and opened out in sun- 

 shine or warmth when many insects are abroad. 



As the stalk grows older and the seeds ripen, it 

 becomes taller, keeping usually above the neighbouring 

 vegetation. It is then tough and elastic, and very dif- 

 ferent in character from the young flower-stalk. This 

 means a great change in the habit and character of the 

 cells which form it. 



So that in the "body " of the Wood Anemone, which 

 is made up of these minute living cells, one finds the 

 most varied duties apportioned to these latter. All 

 contribute somehow to the general welfare of the Wood 

 Anemone ; that is, they form a co-operative association 

 with a common end. Yet one can hardly believe that the 

 root cells, e.g.., are in the least aware even of the exist- 

 ence of the flower for which they work themselves to 

 death. 



It might be possible to show that some of them are 

 competing eagerly with one another. The leaves are 

 ruthlessly sacrificed as soon as they are past work, 

 and the flower begins to form. Bud scales, petals, and 

 stamens are at once thrown off so soon as they have 

 fulfilled their functions. The whole flowering stalk is 

 sacrificed as soon as the seed is scattered, and the fat, 



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