CHAPTER VIII 



THE HIGH ALPINE PLANTS {continued) — MARSH PLANTS 



The methods and processes, by which some of the 

 results achieved by Science are attained, are apt to be 

 beyond the imagination of the lay mind. Most people 

 are perhaps aware that the earth has on several 

 occasions not only been measured but weighed. It is 

 less widely known that Alpine plants have actually 

 been made. How these matters are accomplished 

 is too often regarded as the secret of the scientist, 

 and certainly it would be difficult to demonstrate the 

 method of ascertaining the volume and weight of the 

 earth, without assuming a considerable knowledge of 

 the groundwork of physical science. But the making 

 of an Alpine plant is quite simple of comprehension. 



We l^ave discussed in the previous chapters the 

 various types of habit, which are characteristic of 

 Alpine plants. When, therefore, we say that Alpine 

 plants have been made, we mean that Lowland plants 

 transplanted to the High Alps have been found to 

 assume one or other of those peculiarities of form 



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