THE STRUGGLE FOR LIFE. 169 



the sunlight and tinge the rays which for a few 

 hours are enabled to penetrate the otherwise dense 

 canopy. 



In that portion of the forest which covers the 

 lower grounds near the coast, the struggle is most 

 intense, on account of the richness of the soil and 

 the plenitude of water. On the sand-reefs, rocks, 

 and mountains, however, plant-food is more difficult 

 to obtain, and here the strain for bare existence is 

 so great that a longer rest seems necessary. Instead, 

 therefore, of performing two tasks a year, the trees 

 generally have but one flowering and one fruiting 

 season. Again, as little rain falls for the three 

 months from September to November, that time is 

 chosen for a partial rest. This, however, is not like 

 the hibernation of plants in temperate climates, 

 but simply a less active condition where the strain 

 is slightly relaxed. The leaves fall one after an- 

 other, but almost before you can appreciate the 

 fact that the tree is bare, new buds open all at once 

 and work is resumed. 



That they should require a little rest at night is 

 only to be expected. Even in other climes the 

 sleep of plants has been noticed, but nowhere is it 

 so strikingly exemplified as in the tropical forest. 

 Diurnal flowers droop, leaves fold together or hang 

 as if exhausted, and even twigs lose some of their 



