MAN AND THE WEB OP LIFE 93 



many a piece of the web of life that means much to man. 

 But we cannot enter into the large questions of domestication 

 and utilisation. 



In years to come a fundamental national need will be 

 increased production of useful plants and animals. We know 

 that this may be in part attained by working with prolific 

 races, whether of wheat or of poultry, as Professor Punnett 

 will explain in a subsequent lecture ; we know also that many 

 animals and plants which have not been utilised in the recent 

 past might become valuable assets ; we know also how the 

 chemist by capturing the free nitrogen of the air can make 

 fertiUsers which facilitate intensive cultivation. But are 

 there not what we may call web-of-life methods ? Just as 

 soil may be vastly improved by the work of leguminous plants 

 — though they be mere weeds — with nitrogen - capturing 

 partner-bacteria, so Professor Bottomley of this College has 

 done more than suggest that bacteria may be used to liberate, 

 as it were, the agricultural values of peat. Mr. H. G. Wells's 

 vivid dream of a growing mixture is beginning to become real 

 (like many other of his anticipations) in our knowledge of 

 " auxetics " and " hormones." 



In the quiet of the pond in the winter months there 

 seems to be a preparation of growth - stimulants for the 

 exuberant renascence of spring. But may there not be a 

 miracle of fishes as well as of loaves ? Here at least is • a 

 hint of one ! Bundles of bracken thrown into fresh-water 

 lochs seem to have promoted the vigour of the trout-popula- 

 tion. Bacteria working on the bracken thrive and multiply, 

 they afford food for Infusoria and they also liberate the 

 stimulants of vegetative growth. The replenished hosts of 

 Infusoria and -Algae are devoured by minute Crustacea, which 

 afford food for fresh-water fishes. Here we have a hint of a 

 possible correlation between bracken and breakfast. And 

 while the sceptic and patriot may refuse to cast his bread 

 on the waters, who would not cast bracken, which is conquering 

 all too easily in the struggle for existence with much better 

 plants ? 



Much may be done in increasing productivity ; much may 



