Joty—The Bright Colours of Alpine Flowers. 149 
Tf this observation may be considered unquestionable, as appears 
to be the case, the question arises, Are we to regard this as a direct 
effect of the more rigorous climate upon the development of 
colouring matter on the blooms opening at Upsala? If we sup- 
pose an affirmative answer, the theory of direct effect by sun bright- 
ness must I think be abandoned. But I venture to think that the 
explanation of the Upsala experiment is not to be found in direct 
climatic influence upon the colour, but in causes which lie deeper, 
and involve some factors deducible from biological theory. 
The organism, from the great facts of heredity of qualities and 
survival of the fittest, is necessarily a system which gathers ex- 
perience with successive generations, and the principal lesson ever 
being impressed upon it by external events is economy. Its suc- 
cess depends upon the use it makes of its opportunities for the 
reception of energy and the economy attained in disposing of what © 
is gained. 
With regard to using the passing opportunity, the entire 
seasonal development of life isa manifestation of this attitude, 
and the fleetness, agility, &c., of higher organisms are develop- 
ments in this direction. The higher vegetable organism is not 
locomotory, save in the transferences of pollen and seed, for its 
food comes to it, and the necessary relative motion between food 
and organism is preserved in the quick motion of radiated energy 
from the sun and the slower motion of the winds on the surface of 
the earth. But, even so, the vegetable organism must stand ever 
ready and waiting for itssupplies. Its molecular parts must (spider- 
like) be ready to spring upon the prey offered to it. Hence, 
the plant stands ready, and every cloud with moving shadow 
crossing the fields handicaps the one organism to the benefit of the 
unshaded plant in the adjoining field. The open bloom is a mani- 
festation of the generally expectant attitude of the plant, but in 
relation to reproduction. ) 
As regards economy, any principle of maximum economy, 
where many functions have to be fulfilled, will, we may very 
safely predict, involve as far as possible mutual helpfulness in 
the processes going on. Thus the process of the development 
towards meeting any particular external conditions, A, suppose, 
will, if possible, tend to forward the development towards meet- 
ing conditions B; so that, in short, where circumstances of 
