APRIL 81 



if they really had been decaying flesh. The wriggling of 

 the maggots round the inflorescence (which, as in other 

 Aroids, rises like a column within the spathe) ensured 

 communication between the male florets on the upper 

 part of the spike and the female florets lower down. 



An example, still more familiar to everybody in this 

 country, of deceptive odours emitted to attract flies, is 

 that of the Stinkhorn Fungus (Phallus impudicus), a 

 common object in our woods in autumn. 



Now how shall we attempt to account for these and 

 scores of other instances of deliberate deception ? 

 Plants, so far as we are informed, are destitute of will 

 or intelligence ; even if they possessed them, it is not 

 possible to understand how they could modify their 

 own structure. Yet it is almost equally difficult to 

 imagine the Kuler of the universe occupying Himself 

 in imitating some of the humblest of His, creatures, 

 such as spiders and bees, in order to protect others still 

 more humble, such as orchids. Equally hard to 

 imagine Him directing the concoction of disgusting 

 smells. For some purposes it is to be greatly regretted 

 that we have abandoned our belief in fairies. 



XXXVI 



Talking of poisons reminds one of adders, our only 

 poisonous snake, which, during this month and last, 

 may have been seen in heathy places, bask- Do y . erg 

 ing in the spring sunshine ; and the mention swallow 

 of these recalls a venerable controversy, ] ie tlieirYoun s ? 

 flames of which have broken out afresh lately. Seven 

 F 



