Transactions and Journal of Proceedings (Volume 11) (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1896. Excerpt: ... Another characteristic is the tendency of the flowers to become a white or pale colour, and often of very large size, while they are usually few in number. The pale colour is, of course, due to the absence of strong sunlight, and is again an instance of the peculiar way in which Nature works, for this colour is most conspicuous in the dimness, and is the best the plant could possibly choose. The same may be said of the large size. It is certainly true that many trees have small inconspicuous flowers, but these are fertilised by the small sorts of insects that thrive everywhere, and are unaffected by climate. I mean that some members at least are found everywhere. There is, however, an absence of the brilliant colours and dense spikes which are found in dry, sunny places, where bees, hymenoptera of all kinds, and hoverflies are found. These latter insects are remarkably absent in this forest, probably because the chill, moist atmosphere is bad for their wings. The most extraordinary feature of all is that in so many respects Nature by climate produces exactly that form best suited to thrive in that particular climate, and in almost all cases we cannot trace any connection between the two. I mean the fact that a dim, humid climate produces a drawn out stem, has no connection (visible) with the fact that a climbing plant is well fitted to thrive in such a place. 2. Food Plants--The Cereals. By Mr Peter Gray. The principal grasses cultivated as bread plants by the more civilized races of mankind are four in nuinber--wheat, barley, rye, and oats. Of these the wheat plant, Trilicum sativum, is the most important. There are three species, or more properly perhaps sub-species, of Triticum grown in Europe--Triticum sativum, turgidum, and durum. The first includes ...