SYMBIOSIS 29 



physiologically also the plantagens here concerned are on a 

 higher level than other parts.* 



"Love-foods" are thus seen to be specially favourably 

 circumstanced and equipped for special bio-economic and bio- 

 chemical effectiveness. We have seen how the flower-bud, in 

 order to achieve its efficiency in the discharge of its manifold 

 onerous duties, has in turn to rely upon every shred of 

 co-operation and of consideration that it can obtain from all 

 those concerned be they plantagens or animals in the 

 preservation of its valuable species. In the last analysis, 

 therefore, the high bio-chemical adequacy of "love-foods" is 

 compounded by strenuous symbiotic service, and rests securely 

 on the bio-economic adequacy of such service. Bio-chemistry 

 has proved that "love-foods " in one shape or other, by their 

 possession of subtle and highly complex substances, are of 

 peculiar adequacy, and are indeed qualitatively indispensable 

 to animal economy. This discovery bids fair to revolutionise 

 all previous notions concerning nutrition. 



" Yitamines " is the name given by Dr. Casimir Funk to 

 these newly-discovered bodies. 



They are nitrogenous and of highly complex structure (e.g., the 

 formula of one is C, 6 H, O 9 N 4 ) ; they are indispensable for life, and 

 no diet is complete without them. If the brain, " one of the three 

 legs of the tripod of life," is starved by a vitamineless diet, troubles 

 of all kinds called by Funk deficiency diseases arise, and these may 

 end in death. The muscles dwindle away, the nerves degenerate, and 

 heart and bone troubles result. Their absence is a predisposing cause 

 of tuberculosis. Vitamines are found in plants, and especially in their 

 seeds. So far as is known at present, animals are incapable of making 

 them. Animals, however, obtain them by feeding on plants. Thus 



* Dr. H. M. Vernon in a very interesting contribution to the " Bio-Chemistry of 

 Respiration ' (" Science Progress," Oct. 1914), infers that, generally speaking need of 

 oxygen seems to increase part pattsu with increasing complexity of chemical and 

 morphological organization, and further, taking an organism as a whole, its oxidasic 

 power varies with the magnitude of its respiratory exchanges, which in my 

 opinion, is further illustration of the fact that the very important bio-chemical 

 (positive) factors of evolution depend for their adequacy and efficacy on bio- 

 economic (symbiotic) activities (work, services, exchange of services, co-operation) 

 for the needs and powers here concerned are primarily connected with purposes of 

 symbiosis domestic or biological. Respiration is subservient to a perfect round of 

 (bio-economic) mutual services. The oxygen liberated by strenuous and symbiotic 

 plants in turn serves many symbiotic purposes (of animals and plants alike) in the 

 web of life. 



