METABOLISM OF COLORLESS PLANTS 53 



and thus restore energy in the potential form to the hay 

 infusion. 



If this occurs, the hay infusion world is a microcosm 

 indeed green plants, colorless plants,and animals gradually 

 become reciprocally adjusted so that a self -perpetuating con- 

 dition of practically stable equilibrium subvenes; in other 

 words, what is termed a ' balanced aquarium.' The cres- 

 cendo and diminuendo of teeming populations, made possible 

 by the rapidly changing environmental conditions which the 

 bringing together of hay and water initiated, is replaced by 

 an apparently harmonious interdependence of organisms 

 demanding different food conditions, such as we are familiar 

 with in the world at large. 



