THE PLANT AND THE SEASONS 27 



plant seems to bring about an alteration in the 

 bearing of the foliage that is valuable as a pro- 

 tective measure. It is seen that during very cold 

 weather many plants droop their leaves, and in 

 this manner prevent a serious loss of natural heat. 

 Most people must have observed how different 

 is the bearing of the Cherry Laurel on a frosty 

 morning to what it is in mild weather. There 

 is little doubt that the leaves would be badly 

 damaged by the cold if they were held out in the 

 normal fashion. 



A very considerable number of plants are 

 herbaceous in habit ; that is to say, they do not 

 form any woody material which lasts through the 

 winter above-ground. In these cases it is seen 

 that towards the end of the summer there is a 

 decided slackening in the activity of the plant, 

 and finally the circulation of the sap ceases alto- 

 gether. In fact, all the life of the plant vanishes 

 underground. That there is a very real purpose 

 in this behaviour on the part of the herbaceous 

 species is certain ; most of these plants are 

 decidedly tender in habit, and few of them are 

 able to produce stems fitted to cope with the 

 rough weather. 



Though there is nothing to be seen above- 

 ground when the herbaceous plant has retired to 



