PLANTS THAT DEFEND THEMSELVES 



THE first instinct of all life human, beast, 

 bird, or plant is the instinct of self-pro- 

 tection. This is one of the greatest evidences of 

 the kinship among all forms of life. In plant life 

 this intuitive self -protection is very apparent: so 

 apparent that the wonder is that so few people 

 consider it. 



Plants, like animals and human beings, have their 

 numerous enemies, their dangers and hardships, 

 which they must meet and overcome. And, just 

 as with mankind and animals, those plants which 

 are not prepared to defend themselves against their 

 numerous foes and destroyers must eventually give 

 up the battle to the stronger. 



Every day of every season with plants the battle 

 is waged. They must defend themselves against 

 all the forces of nature, such as winds, heat, cold, 

 and tides; they must defend themselves against 

 birds, animals, and fish; and they must wage in- 

 genious warfare among themselves the weaker 

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