A WIDE WORLD OF PLANT-LIFE 29 



two flowers on one plant, no two leaves on one tree, no 

 two blades of grass in one field, are absolutely the 

 same. 



Here, again, is something which anybody may prove 

 for himself. Next time we go for a walk, or out into a 

 garden, we might try to find two Oak-leaves, or two Elm- 

 leaves, or two Rose-leaves, or two Grass-blades, which 

 are precisely the same; the same in size, in shape, in 

 markings, without the very smallest difference. 



It will not be an easy task. And when we think we 

 have succeeded, we must put the question to the test 

 by looking at both through a magnifying-glass, or under 

 a microscope. If then we can still detect not the 

 tiniest difference, we shall have done something to be 

 proud of. But I hardly think we shall succeed. 



All the leaves of an Elm will be alike; very much 

 alike ; just as the brothers and sisters in one family are 

 sometimes very much alike. Yet generally each leaf 

 will be slightly unlike all the other leaves, just as each 

 child in a family is different from all the rest. 



II SUCH NUMBERS ! 



We have been thinking so far mainly of the higher 

 kinds ; those known as Flowering Plants ; and we shall 

 go on thinking mainly about them. 



But before making any farther advance, it is as well 

 to picture to ourselves, in some small degree, what is 

 really meant by the whole Vegetable Kingdom ; the vast 

 World of Plant-life. 



To do this we have to begin very low down, and to go 

 steadily upward. We have to make a start far below 



