110 THE HUMAN SIDE OF TREES 



and the children must have their morning cup. 

 Society must have its afternoon tea. It is not at 

 all certain that the majority of mankind, living 

 under unnatural conditions, does not really need 

 some mild stimulant to work most efficiently. 



Nature offers beverages of all kinds! A be- 

 nighted traveller in the South American forests 

 finds himself in a situation almost as hopeless as 

 one lost in the deserts of Africa. There are no cool 

 springs, nor rocks from which water flows; and 

 where he does find water it is filled with decaying 

 and obnoxious vegetation. Sometimes, however, he 

 is fortunate enough to discover the purple sarra- 

 cenia. This marvellous plant's circling leaves unite 

 at their outer border and form a graceful and ele- 

 gant drinking cup. This exquisite goblet is deco- 

 rated with scarlet veins and the art of Etruria 

 or Sevres never constructed one more elegant. It 

 is filled with clean delicious water and the weary 

 traveller may drink with entire safety. In India 

 the natives are furnished with reservoirs, which they 

 call monkey cups. These flowery vessels are pro- 

 vided with delicate lids, which the careful plant 

 always closes at night. Some of these cups will 

 hold two pints of water. 



If man wishes milk while travelling in the forests 

 of Caracas, South America, Mother Nature is 



