LIFE OF THE LAND 



535 



The highest traits of animal life, such as are found in land 

 animals, have not been required or acquired by the sea 

 animals, and although the number of species and kinds 

 is very great, there is not found among them the same grade 

 of intelligence or power of adaptability, as among the 

 land animals. 



Life of the Land. The highest development of both 

 plant and animal life is found upon the land. Here ^t the 



meeting place of the solid- 



earth and its gaseous en- 

 velope, subjected to great 

 variations in amount of 

 sunlight, moisture, tem- 

 perature, and soil, the 

 plants and animals have 

 acquired a marvelous 

 variety of forms and 

 structures to adapt them 

 to their varied surround- 

 ings, and to enable them 

 to secure a living. 



Some plants lift their 

 strong arms high into the 

 air to intercept the sun- PRICKLY PHLOX 



beams before they strike Notice the thorn ? ts b j f which {i protects 

 the earth, while others 



clothe the surface with a dress of varied green. In some 

 plants, odor, nectar, or juicy berries attract the animals 

 whose aid is needed for fertilizing and scattering their seeds, 

 while in others, noxious odors, prickles, thorns, and acrid 

 secretions ward away animals destructive to their welfare. 



