May, 1933 
The Queensland Naturalist 
07 
ductance to incandescency, has the effect of combining 
nitrogen with hydrogen and oxygen to form salts of 
ammonia. The more violent the electric disturbance is the 
more nitrogen will be distributed with the rain to the 
ground and taken up by the roots of the plant for food. 
Is it a wonder then, that the plant that has survived the 
storm is looking so well and healthy on the following day? 
What the night before appeared to be destruction turned 
out to be a real blessing. 
There is harmony in nature. If we fail to see it im- 
mediately, let us wait till an opportune time comes for 
observation, and we will find that nature’s tendency is to 
be constructive. 
Sunshine to give warmth and light, alternating with 
clouds, dull' days and rain is all beneficial. Even daylight 
and the night’s darkness cannot be dispensed with : plants 
need daylight for their development and rest at night. 
Also many plants depend in their flowering seasons on 
moths and insects that are afraid to show themselves in 
the light of the day, for distribution of pollen, for subse- 
quent fertilization of the seed. There also must be seasons 
to complete nature’s harmony, a time to germinate, a time 
to grow, a time to fertilize, a time to seed and a time to 
rest. 
One of the greater harmonies exists between the plant 
and animal kingdoms. The plant with the ability of con- 
structive life is able to form out of inorganic matter sub- 
stances necessary for the conditions of life, that is, into 
organic material. The elements, 0 . N. IT, 0 and S, are 
combined by the activities of the plant life into proteids, 
the raw material into protoplasm. 
In the animal life we find that it is unable to manu- 
facture life-giving properties. Lifeless matter cannot be 
converted into suitable food; being unable to manufacture 
proteids the animal food must be prepared by the plants — 
indeed, animal life, including that of man, cannot exist 
without the plant. 
Should we now just go to the plant and rob it of life- 
giving substances it has prepared, and that are so valu- 
able for its own existence, as well as for the welfare of all 
living creatures, without giving consideration as to how 
to repay or contribute and assist the plant in its generous 
work ? The lazy man may think lie can do so, but will soon 
find that the plant’s ability to supply has limitations. The 
thrifty man, however, will see that the seed of the plant 
is sown in a proper time, in suitably prepared soil, and 
then looked after during its growth. Then, in turn, the 
plant will not fail to produce abundantly, sufficient for its 
own requirements as well as to its benefactor. 
