54 :©otani2 



we are led to think of the plant's host of enemies. 

 There is a war on ; animal lighting vegetable, and the 

 animal would conquer in the strife, and destroying 

 the plant would insure its own destruction, if the 

 animal world were only at peace with itself. The 

 army of the plant's animal enemies is an army of 

 different nationalities, full of mutual hostilities, and 

 its divisions are constantly turning against each 

 other. This quarrel among its assailants brings 

 some aid and comfort to the attacked vegetable. 

 Some one writes in this fashion : " Nature seems to 

 have detailed a bug for every root ; worms to build 

 nests in every tree ; other worms to devour every leaf; 

 insects to attack every flower; army worms, cut 

 worms, all kinds of worms, and grasshopjDers to 

 eat up everything that is left. The number and 

 variety of pests connected with each vegetable are 

 alarming ; potato-beetles come in hordes after 

 23otatoes, and fourteen distinct worms are detailed to 

 make war on cabbage." 



When in March we are digging about the roots of 

 our flowering plants, or are having the vegetable 

 garden " spaded uj^," we come upon the advance 

 guard of the army of the plant's enemies. In the 

 sunshine of some unusually fine INIarch day we see 

 an innocent-looking white butterfly sailing about — 

 that is one individual out of the flying squadrons that 



