VARIETY OF LIFE 59 



to the deep crimson of the rhododendron ; from the 

 brilliant hues of the orchids to the dull browns and 

 greens of inconspicuous tree flowers ; from the vivid 

 light greens, yellows, and reds of the young leaves 

 of these tropical forests to the greyer green of their 

 maturity ; from the smiting reds and blues of the 

 most gaudy butterflies, beetles, and dragon-flies to 

 the modest browns of night-flying moths ; from the 

 gorgeous colours of the parrots to the familiar black 

 of crows ; from the yellow-striped tiger to the earth- 

 coloured hare ; from the dark-skinned aborigine to 

 the yellow-skinned Mongolian and the fair Euro- 

 pean. Similarly do plants and animals vary in 

 form : from the straight pines and palms to the 

 spreading, umbrageous oaks and laurels ; from up- 

 standing lilies to parasitical orchids ; from monstrous 

 spiky beetles to symmetrical dragon-flies ; from un- 

 gainly rhinoceros to graceful antelope ; from short, 

 sturdy Bhutias to tall, slim Hindustanis. Likewise 

 in character individuals are as different as the 

 strong, firm tree standing open-faced, four-square 

 to all the world and the creeping, insinuating para- 

 site ; as the intelligent, industrious ant and the 

 clumsy, plodding beetle ; as the plucky boar and the 

 timid hare ; as the rough forest tribesman and the 

 cultured Bengali. 



Lastly, there is variety among not only the dif- 

 ferent species of plants, animals, insects, etc., but 

 also the individuals of the same species. We our- 

 selves know the differences there are between one 

 man and another, and as far as that goes between 

 ourselves on one day and ourselves on the next. 

 Each plant and still more each animal has its 



