THE CAUSES OF THE STRUGGLE. 297 



Other plants are perhaps not so easily recognised 

 as individuals, but there are characters even among 

 the trees of the same species by which they may 

 be known. Early and late flowering and fruiting 

 individuals are seen in every country, often com- 

 pelling attention by their differing from the average. 

 Here such differences are carried to extremes, 

 hardly two of the same species dropping their 

 leaves, opening their flowers, or ripening their fruit 

 at the same time. The natural consequence is that, 

 instead of the majority carrying on these operations 

 almost on the same day, the seasons last for a 

 month or two, and it is possible to find in one 

 garden or portion of forest individuals in a hundred 

 different stages. This is not only a very interesting 

 fact, but it has a bearing on the interdependence of 

 animals and plants, which we have considered in 

 another chapter, the result being a long extension 

 of the flowering and fruiting seasons and consequent 

 food supply. 



Young animals are somewhat erratic ; they have 

 not yet got into a groove ; their elders, on the con- 

 trary, are inclined to be more regular. The same 

 thing occurs with plants; some trees which become 

 quite denuded twice a year when mature are never 

 bare in their youth. A similar thing takes place 

 with their flowering ; if a tree blossoms at very 



