PLANTS CARRY LIFE INSURANCE 139 



is allowed to blossom, a gorgeous display of flowers 

 is the reward. 



During the winter season most plants have their 

 vacations ; this period is spent in sleeping and rest- 

 ing. But even while they are resting, plants are 

 not idle, for a great preparation for their early 

 awakening is going on. The skunk-cabbage can 

 hardly wait until February to peep up. And away 

 under the snow and ice the trailing arbutus has 

 already put forth its delicate, pink buds, ready at 

 the first invitation of the early spring sunshine to 

 burst into bloom. The glaucous willow, also, is 

 ready to reward with nectar the first bee that ven- 

 tures forth in the early, chill winds; and even the 

 wake-robin (Trillium erectum), with its disagree- 

 able odour, is prepared to feast the first flies of 

 the season; all as a result of the foresight of the 

 parent plant in preparing for their early appear- 

 ance in other words, in providing insurance. 



Many plants use colour and beauty to insure their 

 children a proper location in life, for when these 

 children once choose their homes and become estab- 

 lished, they rarely change. The bright, red colour 

 of the apple attracts birds, animals, and human 

 beings to it, in the same way that the beautiful 

 red rose attracts insects by its colour and fragrance; 

 the apple, too, has a wonderful perfume, as do 



