82 



THE AMERICAN BOTANIST. 



In the light of the foregoing facts, and many others 

 which lack of space forbids discussing here, it seems only 

 reasonable to conclude that along with the development 

 that has made plants successful in the struggle for exist- 

 ence there has gone another development of structures 

 and products that are useless or perhaps harmful to the 

 plant, but produced of necessity. It is the editor's own 

 opinion that the poisonous qualities of the sumac were 

 not evolved as a means of defense, but possibly arose as 

 the outcome of various processes in the plant economy. 

 Similarly, if the nettle has reached its present position by 

 reason of its stinging hairs, it is difficult to understand 

 why it did not develope hairs that make life uncomfort- 

 able for the larva that feed upon it, while it was about it. 



* * 

 * 



That plants vary and have varied since the beginning 

 of time all students are willing to admit ; but why plants 

 vary is a question to which no one seems to have attempt- 

 ed an answer. The structure of a grass, for instance, is 

 admirably adapted to its position in life, but why hun- 

 dreds of forms of grasses ? Some, to be sure, are due to 

 different environments, but there are many forms inhabit- 

 ing the same area. It would probably be considered the 

 wildest speculation to suggest that the way in which 

 various plants have worked out the problem of assimila- 

 tion and excretion has played a most important part in 

 this matter, but as we already know that thcvse processes 

 have had some effect upon plant structures, such as glands 

 and the like, is it not possible that these effects may prove 



to be of still greater importance ? 



* * 



With the opening of the blooming season, it must ex- 

 asperate the average plant protector, to see great bunches 

 of arbutus, azalia, columbine, trillium, lupine, etc., being 

 brought back from outings in the country by heedless bot- 

 anizers, or hawked about the city streets. Without doubt 

 the laws against trespass are sufficient to protect these 

 plants, provided the lands upon which they grow belong 



