THE VEGETABLE ORGANIZATION. 295 



expansion of the Riccia nutans affords a beautiful example of the 

 cellular structure, and its general appearance comes very near to 

 some of the Al^a, while, on the other hand, many of the 

 Jungermanni<e, another genus of the liverworts, are almost as 

 closely allied to the mosses. 



The mosses are universal favourites, and it is impossible, even 

 for the most superficial observer, to have glanced over any of 

 these beautiful plants, without adn^ring the general elegance 

 of their forms, and the extreme delicacy of their leaves and 

 other parts. The most finished drawing can convey but a faint 

 and imperfect idea of their extreme beauty. We must here 

 have recourse to the microscope for ourselves, and when thus 

 examined, so as to display their internal structure, — the modifi- 

 cations of cellular texture as seen in their transparent leasees, — 

 the varied forms and delicacy of these parts, — the curious struc- 

 ture of the filmy teeth which, encircle the mouth of their capsules, 

 the interest which attaches to these productions is increased 

 ten-fold, and the reflecting mind is lost in the contemplation of 

 the infinitely varied beauties of form and structure which pro- 

 ceed from the Master hand, and which prevail in every depart- 

 ment of nature. In the works of the great Creator, there is 

 nothing imperfect — nothing unfinished — whether in simplicity 

 of design, or in the most delicate and refined construction. As 

 far as our limited powers will enable us to comprehend it, the 

 same sublime unity of purpose is displayed throughout. We look 

 above us and contemplate the vastness of the heavenly expanse, 

 — its brilliant orbs preserving their prescribed limits, and rolling 

 through space in perpetual harmony, and with never-varying 

 regularity, — and we feel lost in the vastness of the power and 

 wisdom of that Divine Intelligence which has called them into 

 being, and which presides over, directs, and regulates the whole. 

 We are ready to exclaim with the Psalmist, " What is man, that 

 thou art mindful of him ? and the son of man, that thou visitest 

 him ?" But shall we, therefore, infer, with the disciples of a false 

 philosophy, that He regards not the beings whom he has called 

 into existence ? that He, having breathed into them the breath 

 of life, there leaves them, and casts them aside as utterly beneath 

 his attention and care ? Let us turn to the humble moss which 

 groweth upon the wall, and to the insect flutterer which revel eth 

 its short hour in the setting beams of a summer's sun. We be- 

 hold the same attention bestowed upon these minute existences, 

 — the same care in the adaptation of the circumstances under 

 which they are placed to the purposes which they are destined to 

 fulfil. Can we then doubt that even the hairs of our heads are 

 all numbered, and that he who so clothed the grass of the field 

 will fulfil all his purposes of love towards that being who, 

 though fallen indeed, and in himself powerless of good, is yet 

 gifted with faculties by which he can investigate, and in a 

 measure comprehend, the mighty works even of the High and 



J^ne^ 1835. — vol. ii. no, xi. 2q 



