THE COSMIC ADAPTATION OF THE SEED 445 



Now what is the nature of the difference between the AppeaHo^^ 

 cosmic conditions and the specially terrestrial conditions ? influences of 

 On our planet we can recognise by their effects two kinds of l°^'^^^l°'' 



or in 



influences— those which result merely in the increase 

 the diminution in the size of the plant-organism, and those 

 which bring about changes in the characters of its type. As 

 examples of the first effect we may associate the gigantic 

 Sequoias of California with the dwarfed pines of Japan; 

 whilst to illustrate the second we may cite the ordinary 

 variation of plants under different environments. In the 

 first we see the effect of expansion and contraction of the 

 life-conditions. In the second we have the result of their 

 diversification. When nature diversifies the conditions, only 

 a part of the organism responds to each change in the environ- 

 ment. When nature relaxes their pressure or increases their 

 rigour the whole organism responds ; and it is evidently to 

 this order of things that we must refer the differences in 

 effect between the cosmic and the special planetary conditions 



Take the indications afforded in the culture of dwarf trees, Jhe dwarf- 



• 1 f . ins 01 trees, 



where man so successfully imitates the repressive side ot nature, etc., in 

 In an article on "The Dwarf Tree Culture of Japan" by Mr ^Ji^^^^^"" 



Percy Collins that was published in the fVinJsor Magazine ;^P^^|fi^« 

 for October 1907, we find the method thus pithily described : nature. 

 " Everything is done to concentrate the life of the tree within 

 the narrowest possible limits. And at last, after years of un- 

 remitting labour, the tree begins to respond to the touch of 

 its master. It loses its tendency to shoot forth lusty and far- 

 reaching twigs. Its leaves become tiny and proportioned to 

 its dwarfed branches. It surrenders in the fight for liberty 

 and becomes quiet and tractable." Many kinds of forest trees 

 ultimately yield to this repressive treatment, a period of at 

 least half a century being required for the production of a 

 good saleable dwarf tree. Of course with herbaceous plants 

 much less time is needed. The writer of this book about 

 twenty years ago conducted a series of experiments on the 

 effects of very dry conditions on the growth of Bi^ens cernua 



