Adaptation of Plants. 55 



of young for the preservation of the species. Fof 

 convenience in illustrating these activities we shall 

 speak of the plant as sentient. 



The curious processes by which every species 

 adapts itself to the world may be structural or func- 

 tional ; but a plan is so readily recognized and the 

 results are reached by such complicated operations, 

 all moving harmoniously together, that every ob- 

 server must be struck with the close imitation of 

 voluntary action — of instinctive foresight and skill 

 in adapting means to ends. We have this apparent 

 foresight and skill manifested to some extent in al- 

 most every plant that clothes the earth, and almost 

 every species has manifestations of contrivance pe- 

 culiar to itself. 



The study of the instinct-like provisions in the 

 growth of plants and bodies of animals will prepare 

 us to understand that acknowledged Instinct, in its 

 lowest forms, simply carries the work of life one 

 step farther through volition, than mere structure 

 and function could possibly do. 



The best known trees — the oak or apple — will af- 

 ford ample illustration of provisions for themselves 

 and young that simulate the work of Instinct. 



The oak, that must brave the storms for centu- 

 ries, sends out its thickened roots swelling high 

 from the trunk, like buttresses to a castle wall, but 

 firmer in position and better balanced than any 

 ever fashioned by the wisest architect. The Eddy- 

 stone light-house, that defies the power of the sea, 

 was fashioned by its great builder, Smeaton, from 

 the study of the oak. Well may this tree be taken 



