SOME FEATURES OF INTEREST IN tHE ORDEtl OF CONIFERS. ^ 



Thus we have the characteristics of the plant in the bud- 

 stage and in the egg-stage to study ; and whilst the peculiarities 

 of the latter are more specially the objects of study for the 

 microscopist and the physiologist in the laboratory, the differences 

 of the former (the bud-stage) are particularly fit for the obser- 

 vation of the horticulturist or the forester, and abound in prac- 

 tical lessons for his consideration. Some of the stages here 

 alluded to more or less overlap one another, occur simultaneously, 

 or are connected one with another by intermediate gradations, so 

 that they cannot in all cases be sharply defined. 



Now, as each individual plant passes, has passed, or may pass 

 through any or all of these stages, so it must be that the species, 

 which is only a collection of individuals, must have passed 

 through the same stages. Some of the variations which puzzle 

 us so much to-day, in all probability represent the conformation 

 of the progenitors of existing plants ; at any rate there is ample 

 evidence to show that Conifers in those remote times passed 

 through the same stages as the existing ones do now, and that 

 they were as well adapted to meet variable conditions as their 

 descendants now are. 



If, therefore, to repeat what has been said before, we find 

 that the Conifers pass through the same stages, say, as the 

 Selaginellas do, we naturally conclude that they have been 

 derived from the same stock. Again, if we find that the Conifers 

 pass through some of the stages visible in certain vascular 

 Cryptogams, but not through others, we deem the relationship 

 less close ; whilst if the phases of growth be almost wholly 

 different, we naturally conclude that the relationship is propor- 

 tionately remote. 



I have mentioned these matters to show how botanists and 

 geologists attack problems, with a reasonable chance of success, 

 which on first consideration you might deem to be quite 

 insoluble by mortal men — mere matters of speculation beyond 

 the capability of actual demonstration. 



Physiology, Movements, &c. 



I have so far endeavoured to show you how the geologist, the 

 morphologist, the microscopist, the genealogist find rich mines 

 for observation and research among the Conifers. The physio- 

 logists are none the less fortunate. You will have seen already 



