VARIETY OF LIFE 59 



to the deep crimson of the rhododendron ; from the 

 brilliant hues of the orchids to the dull browns and 

 greens of inconspicuous tree flowers ; from the vivid 

 light greens, yellows, and reds of the young leaves 

 of these tropical forests to the greyer green of their 

 maturity ; from the smiting reds and blues of the 

 most gaudy butterflies, beetles, and dragon-flies to 

 the modest browns of night-flying moths ; from the 

 gorgeous colours of the parrots to the familiar black 

 of crows ; from the yellow-striped tiger to the earth- 

 coloured hare ; from the dark-skinned aborigine to 

 the yellow-skinned Mongolian and the fair Euro- 

 pean. Similarly do plants and animals vary in 

 form : from the straight pines and palms to the 

 spreading, umbrageous oaks and laurels ; from up- 

 standing lilies to parasitical orchids ; from monstrous 

 spiky beetles to symmetrical dragon-flies ; from un- 

 gainly rhinoceros to graceful antelope ; from short, 

 sturdy Bhutias to tall, slim Hindustanis. Likewise 

 in character individuals are as different as the 

 strong, firm tree standing open-faced, four-square 

 to all the world and the creeping, insinuating para- 

 site ; as the intelligent, industrious ant and the 

 clumsy, plodding beetle ; as the plucky boar and the 

 timid hare ; as the rough forest tribesman and the 

 cultured Bengali. 



Lastly, there is variety among not only the dif- 

 ferent species of plants, animals, insects, etc., but 

 also the individuals of the^ame species. We our- 

 selves know the differences there are between one 

 man and another, and as far as that goes between 

 ourselves on one day and ourselves on the next. 

 Each plant — and still more each animal — ^has its 



