Sex among Plants. 63 



ed work with the certainty of the most cunning 

 beast of prey or the most skilful devices of men. 



But all the economy of the plant thus far men- 

 tioned probably has relation to its own welfare as 

 an individual. The imitations of Instinct are even 

 more marked in the provisions which the tree 

 makes for its young. In many plants this care ex- 

 tends not only to the maturing of the seeds but in 

 many cases to their distribution. 



It is a remarkable fact that in the vegetable 

 kingdom we find the distinction of sex as well 

 marked as among animals — the distinction mani- 

 festing itself in some form almost to the lowest 

 types of plant life. If we begin by recognizing the 

 existence of a benevolent Creator, we can readily 

 understand the final cause of sexual distinction 

 among animals, when we estimate the revenue of 

 enjoyment to all higher sentient beings, from the 

 parental relation. But that the distinction of sexes 

 should obtain in the vegetable kingdom where sen- 

 sation even is unknown, can never be explained on 

 the theory of benevolence in the Creator, unless we 

 look entirely beyond plant life for the objects to be 

 benefited by means of this relation. Such theories 

 might be started in regard to this duality of struct- 

 ure and nature in plants of the same species or 

 double nature of the same plant, as would appear 

 plausible at least to those who are ready to grant 

 that every thing is wisely created for some purpose. 

 But it does not come within the scope of our pres- 

 ent subject to propose or defend any peculiar the- 

 ories of creation. We simply take the plant as it is 



