xxxv LETTERS TO MARCO 241 



results of fire. I have found out, however, 

 from repeated observation, that there is one 

 plant which seems to be almost incombust- 

 ible : it is the wild clematis, or " traveller's 

 joy." Wherever there are patches of this 

 pretty straggling plant it remains bright and 

 green, even in the midst of surrounding con- 

 flagration. Large masses of this climber 

 grow on the chalk banks of the line as it 

 approaches Basingstoke; and indeed it is very 

 plentiful anywhere on the Great Western 

 between Reading and Swindon. It is an 

 instance of the survival of the fittest ; and I 

 am quite sure if it were encouraged to grow 

 well over and amongst the hedges and banks 

 it would save the company much trouble and 

 expense, besides adding to the beauty of the 

 banks. 



Though there is much that is extremely 

 interesting in the theories of the evolution- 

 ists on the fertilisation of plants by bees and 

 insects, much still remains to be accounted 

 for, and many facts seem to contradict their 



R 



