Instinct-like Provisions. 135 



one season to the next in order to preserve the spe- 

 cies, has this peculiar power of withstanding cold, 

 although it may appear the tenderest portion of the 

 whole structure. In most of the cases thus far 

 mentioned the relationship of the plant arises from 

 what is ordinarily termed the nature of the organs, 

 but the action of these organs is also important. 

 Many of the results produced by the functions of 

 ins are so specific and SO well understood, that 

 they present strong analogies to certain acts of ani- 

 mals under the guidance of instinct or intelligence. 



The loss of the i tdy alluded to might per- 



haps be reckoned am.mg the instinct-like provi- 

 sions which the tree mal reservation; but 

 in this I mure resembl> tin organic 

 changes in animals in which they are mostly ] 

 sive, as in the .shedding of the winter coat in spring. 

 The animal has no power to produce this chai 

 though he may be indirectly an actor. The snake 

 could never slip out of its skin, nor the lobster from 

 its shell, nor th> aove his coat, if there had 

 not been a provision in the organization and func- 

 tion of each for a periodical loosening of the scales 

 and shell and hair. 



Hut as by the animal, certain provisions are made 

 from instinct for its own welfare and that of its 

 young; so in plants we find analogous provisions 

 made, as though they were sentient beings. 



Some provisions made for the maturing, protec- 

 tion, and early growth of buds and seeds, are of this 

 nature. 



