ADAl'l Alios 45 



metrical \\cll-l:)raiichc(l fir-tree, almost twelve inches 

 hii^h. \\y a supreme effort it proclucefl a crop of 

 miniature cones, :\U(.\ soon after it ciied from 

 drought and star\ation, the wonder beini;' that it 

 could ha\e Ii\ed so \m\\^ u])on the modicum of 

 food the barren wall supplied, besides liaxint^ to 

 entlure at times periods of scorchin;^" heat as well 

 as dnni^ht. The chief interest in this example is 

 centred in the fact that as soon as fruit-bearin<^ 

 lias been attained, then, and not till then, the little 

 tree died, showing" how persistently under all 

 hindrances and difficulties a plant will encleavour 

 to carr)' out the |)urpose of its creation. 



We have seen in these instances some striking 

 examples of the wa\- in which plant-life is adapted 

 to its surroundings. Our examples have been 

 such as are easy of attainment, and such as we 

 can verify with our own eyes ; but even more 

 wonderful are the adaptations hidden awa\' in 

 the recesses of the plant, and as we progress in 

 our stud}- these arrangements of cells and tissues 

 will be re\ealed to us. In order however to see 

 them, and to undi-r^tand their true significance, 

 we must proceed step by step to stud\- the parts 



