Development of Plants. 179 



certain parts of the plant develop to a greater extent 

 than others. Assume that this abnormal growth 

 finds expression in an unusual development of the 

 hairs that are found on the plants, especially those 

 on the seeds. It is entirely an accident we will say, 

 just as in the case of the sixth finger of the Maltese, 

 and it would perhaps at a casual glance appear a very 

 insignificant feature ; yet the contrary holds. We 

 know that the past history of this plant has been 

 that the seeds dropped about the parent became 

 fixed, threatening to choke it, fairly covering the 

 ground, so that many were killed, while only the 

 strong and hardy survived. These seeds are carry- 

 ing on a silent struggle for existence, and the sur- 

 vival of the fittest is expressed by the one that 

 outlives the rest. Now when this accidental long- 

 haired seed drops from the seed-pod it is at once 

 subject to a new condition. The hairs like sails offer 

 a greater resistance to the wind that is blowing 

 over the field than the hairs on the seeds of former 

 generations, and the result is that having more 

 sail in the aerial flight the seed attains a longer 

 distance, outstripping all its short-haired or short- 

 sailed companions, and instead of falling to the earth 

 with a score of others, to grow up in a bunch and 

 contend and struggle for the food elements in the 

 soil, it is hurled into the air, as you have seen the 

 wonderful seed of the thistle, and goes bounding 

 along, to fall perhaps half a mile away in a new field 

 where there is more room and liberty. When the 

 seeds sprout and grow, the resultant plants will be 

 hardier than their immediate parent. Now assume 



