Page 147 - Design in Nature

Design and Creation 145

(cornea) of the eye, start to release a yellowish dye (pigment). This pigment
covers the eye and acts as a filter reducing the intensity of light, which
enables the fish to see more accurately. In dark waters, this pigment
disappears and the eye receives the maximum possible amount of light. 48
It is obvious that this system is a product of conscious design. These
cells releasing or clearing pigments is regulated consciously and cannot be
considered as a product of coincidence. It is an expression of the perfection
in the creation of Allah that an irreducibly complex organ structure such as
the eye should be equipped with such a flawless chromatic system.

Design in the Rock Cactus
Some plants are created with special properties for defence
from plant-eating predators and rodents. Some of these plants
display properties miraculously similar to the surrounding
environment in which they grow. The best example of these
similarities is found in the South African rock cactus.
Due to drought, the surfaces of these plants are extremely
wrinkled. When these wrinkles are filled with dust, it becomes
impossible even for humans to distinguish these plants from rocks. If it were
not for this property, this plant would become an irresistible target for insects and rodents. Another
speciality of the rock cactus is the fact that it blossoms with very brightly coloured flowers at the end
of the season of drought. Since the majority of creatures are absent at that time, it reduces the risks
brought about by the flowers, which could nullify the camouflage.

A Special Design for Plants: Leaves

Deceived bee Leaves
are the
respiratory
organs of
Imitated trees: they inhale
flower Imitating flower carbon dioxide and
(with nectar) (without nectar)
exhale oxygen. Upon
close examination, leaf
The nectar-containing violet-coloured
structure appears
bellflowers (Campanula persicifolia) and non-
nectar containing red-coloured orchid flowers extraordinarily thin, light and
(Cephalanthera rubra) live together in the taut, but also very sturdy. They are
Mediterranean region. A species of solitary bee very resistant to rain and wind. A leaf
is covered with vessels that decrease
(Chelostoma fuliginosum) first visits the
in size from the largest at the stem to
bellflower and extracts the nectar. Then it
the smallest, which are particularly
travels to the orchid flowers that have the same
visible on the underside. This
colour as the bellflower. However, there it finds
structure not only facilitates
no nectar. The orchid flower achieves cross-
circulation of substances but also
pollination by this method.
functions as a skeleton ensuring
rigidity.