THE RHODODENDRON 111 



admirably efficient way of achieving a purpose 

 does not preclude the possibility of there being 

 a score or more other and equally efficient ways of 

 achieving the same purpose. One species of 

 Orange-tree may carry its seed in the core of its 

 fruit, whilst another may carry it in a special 

 exterior annexe ; or one species of Mangrove-tree 

 may breathe by means of its leaves, whilst another 

 may do so by means of tube-like organs thrown 

 up through the soft mud. 



It seems strange we should be so strictly narrow 

 in our outlook, surrounded as we are by so much 

 clearly demonstrated resourcefulness ; it seems 

 strange that all day long our dogmatic finger 

 should point here, then there, and the presump- 

 tuous cry go up, " This is the only right and 

 proper way ! " It seems strange : for it is thus 

 a person is a savage in our eyes if, instead of 

 wearing ornaments in his ears, he wears them in 

 his nose and lips. To be sure, we are improving 

 in this respect, for at one time we readily burnt 

 people who had another way of doing things. 

 But there is still vast room for progress. And, 

 surely, it is no fond trick of the imagination to 

 believe that an appreciable amount of this room 

 will gradually be appropriated to progress made 



