THE QUEST FOR LIGHT 277 



vainly endeavours to oust the invader. If we allow a 

 single Daisy plant to have its own way on our lawn, it 

 will speedily increase, and become an extensive colony, to 

 the detriment of the grass. So successful will it become 

 in its colonization, that wherever it grows it puts the 

 grass out of action — an operation in which it is assisted 

 by the lawn-mower, which by cutting the grass short 

 prevents it from rising above and over-shadowing the 

 enemy. The Dandelion and the Broad-leaved Plantain 

 (Plantago major, Plate XLVII.) are also successful 

 colonists of the lawn, and act on the same principle as 

 that of the Daisy. The Primrose, which we aU love 

 for the beauty and delicacy of its flowers, and of which 

 none are disposed to say an unkind word, nevertheless 

 adopts a warlike attitude towards its competitors. It 

 holds its territory by the asphyxiation of any invader 

 with which it can by nature cope. The leaves, when 

 they first appear, are folded, and they rise upwards 

 towards the light. In due course they unfold, and after 

 a time lay themselves flat, or almost flat, on the ground, 

 spreading over a good area, and suffocating competitors 

 beneath them. In the meantime fresh leaves spring 

 up in succession from the centre. These, too, rise 

 upwards at first, but in time spread outwards and rein- 

 force the older leaves, some of which may have faded, 

 thus maintaining the battle. The succession of new 

 leaves is kept up during the vegetative period of the 

 plant, and with each appearance of new leaves the older 

 ones spread outwards until their turn arrives for out- 

 post duty. The Primrose thus holds its ground in the 

 righteous determination not only to occupy sufficient 

 soil for its needs, but also to secure its just quota of 



