856 



JOURNAL OF THE ROYAL HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



over every difficulty connected with the direction of root growth account 

 for the curvature of this original process in their own way, oblivious of the 

 fact that, whatever this original process may be, its principal function is not 

 that of a root. 



Yet we need not go so far for an explanation when one is ready to 

 hand in progressive adaptation. 



It must be evident that plants having such seeds and emitting a straight 

 process would tend to become extinct, whereas the first one which emitted 

 a curved process would, in whatever position the seed fell, shortly bury 

 itself in the ground. 



Hence the doctrine of " the survival of the fittest" is alone sufficient 

 to account for the more perfectly adapted type of seed-producing plant 

 outliving the imperfectly adapted type. 



And by the slow steps of progressive adaptation we may trace the 

 path leading up to this perfect and beautiful sequence of growth to which 

 I have on other occasions drawn your attention. 



Orapk Barrarossa. Tlie Garden.) 



