BOTANY OF TO-DAY 25 
into the methods of a selection, it would appear that some 
plants are content to e their existence and sacrifice them- 
selves for the benefit a or Thus (p. 24), “« Foxglove ve 
ak gaa ry; eae spring ap in extraordinary profusion where 
ood has been felled . e apt to vanish when the wood atten 
MA Prehare: itsell. But ie are of some use to it,” for they cover 
during these years. ‘So also with the thorny thickets of sloe, 
blackthorn, and hawthorn, Eee tse which the young trees have 
Ry force their way up to the light. uch a thicket moe 
up 
latter die away, but their life- suek is. not wasted. Ev erything 
that they have made, every particle of ier borss acid or of nitrate 
used by them is pesreotisi to the soil, and is used again by the 
higher form of vegetatio 
It appears to be a main n assumption throughout that trees are 
high in the botanic scale in proportion to the height to which 
they grow; for, ‘in this connection the higher plant is both the 
taller and the more complex. An oak or beech is of much more 
importance to the world than a hawthorn.” This probably is 
true, from a business point of view, but are we to understand that 
from that of the evolutionist the Rosacee, even though bearing 
thorns, hold a position inferior to that of the Amentacee? 
Turning to quite another matter, we all know how greatly 
sides Mr. Darwi 
exhibited by cats playing with mice, and ichneumon wasps plant- 
ing their grubs in er bodies of caterpillars but it is probable that 
few persons have raised a simi r question as to plants. Our 
regard of their behaviour towards insect visitors (p. 150). 
some instances, as that of certain Asclepiads, and notably Mae 
sericifera, a native of Buenos Ayres, a charge of “senseless an 
useless cruelty” is held to be proved. But in most instances an 
excuse is forthcoming. ‘If in some cases insects be artfully 
doused in a liqui uid bath, while they are thus compelled to set 
peran 
work out its own cure amongst human beings.” It must, however, 
be confessed that the prospect of this happy consummation is not 
very exhilarating. 
The illustrations are well done, thong) for bea most part they 
have no obvious connection with ress; and the the book, 
which has a good index, is aber ‘interesting. 
