58 THE HUMAN SIDE OF PLANTS 
rein, the Regia is more than repaid for the sup- 
port she gives to her standing army. 
One of the most interesting features of pond 
life are smaller water-lilies. Their broad leaves 
are the floating homes of myriads of tiny animal 
life of both the water and the air. Young frogs 
hold concerts on them; and tiny fishes seek shelter 
in their shadows. 
Of course, the fact that plants maintain for their 
support or protection other forms of life than their 
own is shown in every form of plant life that 
exists. 
The bees which carry pollen may be called the 
servants of the flowers; the birds which swing 
among the branches of the fruit-trees are constantly 
fighting in behalf of the tree, thus protecting its 
young and undeveloped seeds from ravaging in- 
sects; the very snakes and toads, hiding among 
the grasses, protect those grasses from harmful 
grubs; and in each instance the insect or animal is 
serving or protecting the plant, is filling the posi- 
tion of servant or soldier to that plant. 
However, no service in plant life, as in the world 
of human beings, is without its remuneration. The 
animal gives to the plant, but the plant also gives 
to the animal. If the bee carries pollen for the 
flower, the blossom yields of its sweet honey to his 
