UNDER GENIAL SKIES 



less true that *'deer and desert cattle will eat the 

 clioUa — fruit, stem, and trunk — though it bristle 

 with spines that will draw blood from the human 

 hand at the slightest touch." 



This question of spines and thorns in vegetation 

 is a baffling one because Nature's ways are so 

 unlike our ways. Darwin failed utterly in his 

 theory of the origin of species, because he pro- 

 ceeded upon the idea that Nature selects as man 

 selects. You cannot put Nature into a formula. 



Behold how every branch and twig of our red 

 thorn bristles with cruel daggers ! But if they are 

 designed to keep away bird or beast from eating 

 its fruit, see how that would defeat the tree's own 

 ends! If no creature ate its little red apples and 

 thus scattered its seeds, the fruit would rot on the 

 ground beneath the branches, and the tribe of red 

 thorns would not increase. And increase alone is 

 Nature's end. 



It is safe to say, as a general statement, that the 

 animal kingdom is full of design. Every part and 

 organ of our bodies has its purpose which serves 

 the well-being of the whole. I do not recall any 

 character of bird or beast, fish or insect, that does 

 not show purpose, but in the plant world Nature 

 seems to allow herself more freedom, or does not 

 work on so economical a plan. What purpose do 

 the spines on the prickly ash serve? or on the 

 thistles;.? or on the blackberry, raspberry, goose- 



147 



