Vv 
PLANTS THAT DEFEND THEMSELVES 
HE first instinct of all life—human, beast, 
bird, or plant—is the instinct of self-pro- 
tection. This is one of the greatest evidences of 
the kinship among all forms of life. In plant life 
this intuitive self-protection is very apparent: so 
apparent that the wonder is that so few people 
consider it. 
Plants, like animals and human beings, have their 
numerous enemies, their dangers and hardships, 
which they must meet and overcome. And, just 
as with mankind and animals, those plants which 
are not prepared to defend themselves against their 
numerous foes and destroyers must eventually give 
up the battle to the stronger. 
Every day of every season with plants the battle 
is waged. They must defend themselves against 
all the forces of nature, such as winds, heat, cold, 
and tides; they must defend themselves against 
birds, animals, and fish; and they must wage in- 
genious warfare among themselves—the weaker 
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