292 fN THE GUIANA FOREST. 



This reminds us that plants suffer pain, which is 

 only possible where there is feeling. Although 

 they set to work and repair the damage done by 

 a ruthless pruning, or that more cruel mutilation 

 which produces a pollard, it cannot be otherwise 

 than painful. Again, when the tree is in the folds 

 of the strangler, or has its juices continually being 

 abstracted by the loranth and scale insect, we re- 

 cognise that it is suffering. Perhaps a great branch 

 is torn off by the fall of another tree, and here we 

 recognise the fact that it is wounded and bleeding. 

 It tries its best to form a cicatrix, but this may be 

 imperfect, or meanwhile the germs of fungi find a 

 congenial spot on which to begin their work, which 

 leads to mortification and ultimately death. 



There are certain capabilities in some plants 

 which can hardly be considered as evidences of 

 feeling alone, but are yet intimately connected 

 with it. They have latent powers that are never 

 lost, although perhaps not utilised for many gene- 

 rations. Among these is the production of new 

 plants on flower-stems and leaves of different 

 species, and on the pseudo-bulbs of orchids. Among 

 the plants of our gardens is one called the " tree of 

 life " (Bryophyllum calycinum), which has the power 

 of producing new plants on the edges of the leaves 

 when these are cut off and hung up in almost any 



