150 THE BEAUTIES OF NATURE — CHAP. 
for which they would perform no service in 
return. In many cases, therefore, the open- 
ing of the flower is either contracted to a 
narrow passage, or is itself protected by a 
fringe of hairs. In others the peduncle, or 
the stalk of the plant, 1s protected by a hedge, 
or chevaux de frise, of hairs. 
In this connection I might allude to the 
many plants which are more or less viscid. 
_ This also is in most cases a provision to pre- 
clude creeping insects from access to the 
flowers. 
There are various other kinds of hairs to 
which I might refer — glandular hairs, secre- 
tive hairs, absorbing hairs, etc. It is marvel 
lous how. beautifully the. form and structure 
of leaves is adapted to the habits and require- 
ments of the plants, but I must not enlarge 
further on this interesting subject. 
The time indeed will no doubt come when 
we shall be able to explain every difference of 
form and structure, almost infinite as these 
differences are. | 
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_—— se 2S | 
