THE PLANT AND ITS ENEMIES 93 



posterous in the conception of plant mimicry, 

 when we have so well established a theory on 

 the same lines in the case of animals. The 

 common Mint of our brooks, a particularly attrac- 

 tive plant, which sends up lusty shoots in the 

 early summer, is but rarely attacked, doubtless 

 because of its strongly aromatic flavour. Now 

 just at this time the Brooklime, another moisture- 

 loving plant, starts to grow. These two plants, 

 both found plentifully in damp spots, frequently 

 intermingle ; and at a little distance it is not an 

 easy matter to distinguish the one from the 

 other, so strong is the resemblance. It does not 

 seem unreasonable to suppose that the Brook- 

 lime benefits to some extent by its resemblance 

 to the Mint. Grazing animals cropping the herb- 

 age along the banks of the brook, would be likely 

 to leave a plant severely alone which looked so 

 like the aromatic Mint. Lord Avebury has pointed 

 out the close similarity existing between the 

 Scentless Mayweed and the Chamomile, both as 

 regards leaves, flowers, and general habit. The 

 latter species has a strong bitter taste which is 

 likely to serve as a protection, and in its resem- 

 blance the Mayweed may possibly reap advantage. 

 Of course, these last two plants are so closely 

 related to one another that one should not 



