152 THE BEAUTIES OF NATURE CHAP. 
Every keen sportsman will admit that a 
varied “bag” has a special charm, and the 
botanist in a summer’s walk may see at least 
a hundred plants in flower, all with either the 
interest of novelty, or the charm of an old 
friend. 
ON SEEDLINGS 
In many cases the Seedlings afford us an 
interesting insight into the former condition 
of the plant. Thus the leaves of the Furze 
are reduced to thorns; but those of the Seed- 
ling are herbaceous and trifoliate like those of 
the Herb Genet and other allied species, sub- 
sequent ones gradually passing into spines. 
This is evidence that the ancestors of the 
Furze bore leaves. 
Plants may be said to have their habits as 
well as animals. 
SLEEP OF PLANTS 
Many flowers close their petals during 
rain; the advantage of which is that it pre- 
vents the honey and pollen from being spoilt 
OO 
