Science of Plant Life 



FIG. 3. The vegetation more than the house gives character to this 

 suburban home. 



that captures men and large animals and feeds on them has 

 been found in central Africa. We are informed that a spine- 

 less cactus has been produced from a spiny one " by treating 

 it kindly." Such published accounts and the descriptions and 

 explanations that accompany them are purposely wrapped 

 in mystery, and tend to give wrong impressions of plant 

 life. Even a little knowledge of botany will keep one from 

 being misled by such statements. In common with all the 

 other sciences, botany enables us to recognize the truth, and so 

 helps us to avoid errors due to mistaken observation, im- 

 perfect knowledge, or willful attempts to deceive. 



PLANTS FROM THEIR OWN STANDPOINT 



Thus far plants have been discussed in relation to man ; 

 they have been considered as objects of interest, and as a 



