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FLASHLIGHTS ON NATURE 



and how, as they approach maturity, they begin to 

 assume the adult differences which mark off each 

 later developed kind from the primitive and central 

 form of its ancestors. 



But is gorse really exposed to the attacks of 

 animals ? Would any herbivore care to eat such 



hard food ? If 

 you doubt it, you 

 have never lived 

 near a gorse-clad 

 common. From 

 the moment the 

 seedling shows 

 itself above the 

 ground it is cease- 

 lessly nibbled at 

 by rabbits and 

 other rodents ; 

 and even after it 

 has acquired its 

 prickly armour, 

 it makes excellent 

 fodder, if only 

 the sharp tops 

 can be rendered 

 harmless to the 



sensitive noses of cattle or donkeys. Gipsies know 

 this fact well ; and you may often see them on 

 our Surrey hills cutting the succulent young 

 branches and chopping them up fine in a wooden 

 trough till the prickles are destroyed. Their horses 

 then eat the good green food most greedily. 



NO. 7. PROTECTING THE BUDS FROM 

 BROWSING ANIMALS. 



