83 THE HARMONIES OF NATURE. 



an islet affords us no test whatever of the extent to which it 

 may have co-operated towards this end, since a variety of species 

 may first thrive there, and then perish, and be followed by other 

 chance comers like themselves. 



Nothing can be more remarkable than the very peculiar 

 manner in which the seeds of the Mangroves, those wonderful 

 trees whose semi-aquatic reign extends along the margin of the 

 tides, have been made to harmonise with the locality in which 

 they are destined to thrive. They germinate on the branches, 

 and, increasing to a considerable length, finally fall down into 

 the mud, where they stick with their sharp point buried, and 

 soon take root. Other seeds are furnished with wings that the 

 winds may carry them far away ; others, enveloped in water- 

 proof shells, float on the surface of the sea, and are drifted by 

 the currents to distant coasts ; but here we have a tree whose 

 seeds were destined to remain fixed on an uncertain soil, close 

 to the parent plant, and surely this purpose could not have been 

 fulfilled in a more beautiful manner. 



Besides the elementary agencies of the winds and currents, 

 nature has still other resources for conveying seeds to a distance 

 from their place of growth. The various tribes of animals are 

 busily engaged in furthering an object whence they themselves 

 derive such important advantages. Sometimes an express pro- 

 vision is found in the structure of seeds to enable them to adhere 

 firmly by prickles, hooks, and hairs, to the coats of animals 

 or feathers of the winged tribe, to which they remain attached 

 for weeks or even months, and are borne along into every region 

 whither birds or quadrupeds may migrate. Few have failed to 

 mark the locks of wool hanging on the thorn-bushes wherever 

 the sheep pass, and it is probable that the wolf or lion never 

 give chase to herbivorous animals without being unconsciously 

 instrumental in the diffusion of plants. A deer has strayed from 

 the herd, when browsing on some rich pasture, when he is sud- 

 denly alarmed by the approach of his foe. He instantly takes 

 to flight, dashing through many a thicket, and swimming across 

 many a, river and lake. The seeds of the herbs and shrubs, 

 which have adhered to his smoking flanks, are washed off again 

 by the waters. The thorny spray is torn off, and fixes itself 

 in his hairy coat, until brushed off again in other thickets and 



