"63 
proofs existing of its accuracy. As the discovery of Neptune 
by Adams and Le Verrier demonstrated the theory of gravi- 
tation, so probably at some future day will the truth of 
Darwin’s assertion of the antagonism, as opposed to the 
so-called peace, existing in nature be proved by the 
prediction of some fact in botany of similar importance. 
In the meantime, it is the duty of all lovers of natural 
history to go on quietly accumulating facts bearing on the 
subject; and we therefore submit to your consideration 
the following observations, not as being in themselves of 
any value, but as affording an instance of this great struggle 
for existence going on in the vegetable world observed 
under unusually favourable conditions. 
In Tatton Park, Knutsford, it has been the practice for 
the last few years to dig up, enclose, and plant with young 
trees each December, about an acre of land. 
The size of the trees planted is so small that the effect on 
the vegetation around may, at least for some years, we think, 
be neglected without any error of magnitude being intro- 
duced into our results. Hence we have plots of land placed 
before us at intervals of one, two, three years in a state of 
nature — the disturbance of deer, cattle, &c., and especially 
man, carefully guarded against. These appear to be favour- 
able circumstances for the discovery, if not of the indigenous 
plants, at all events of those which would eventually obtain 
possession of the land of the district, were it left in a state 
of nature. 
We have not thought it necessary to go farther back than 
four years, because at that period the question appears to be 
decided, and the trees artificially planted had then acquired 
a height which would affect the conditions of the problem. 
The plots were examined at two periods — January and 
the end of July, 1867. 
The site is on what is called in the Ordnance Geological 
Survey, the Upper (Keuper) Red Marl of the New Red 
