273 



which, absorbing the requisite nutriment, becomes developed, expands its petals to 

 the genial though feeble sunshine, and thus, at length, effects the fertilization of 

 the ovules. 



Secondly. — There is evidence of design manifested in the provision made for 

 the continuance of the individual. Should it so happen that all the blossoms were 

 successively cut off, and the very existence of the plant apparently threatened with 

 destruction, that Beneficent Power, whose fiat first called it into existence, here di- 

 minishes not his protecting care. The nutriment, destined for the complete de- 

 velopment and perfection of the inflorescence and germen, being no longer 

 wanted for those purposes, is diverted to the enlargement of the young bulb of 

 the present year, on which, safely cradled amid the tender leaves, reposes the em- 

 bryonic germ, (g), which in its turn, also receives the invigorating influences of 

 its parent, and in due time proceeds to its destination. 



Lastly. — There is full evidence of design in the relative positions of this em- 

 bryonic germ and the parent bulb. As before shown, this germ always appears on 

 the side of the bulb of the present year, which is farthest removed from the pa- 

 rent bulb. It is a well-known fact, (no matter as regards our present argument, 

 whether attributable to exhaustion, excretion, or any other cause,) that the soil in 

 which any particular plant has vegetated, becomes less adapted for the immediately 

 subsequent growth of other individuals of the same species. Now, had the embryo 

 bulb been attached to the side next the parent bulb, there is a probability that it 

 would either have entirely perished, or, at all events, have become of a weak and 

 sickly habit, in consequence of the inability of vegetating in a suitable and unex- 

 hausted soil, or from having its vital powers destroyed or impaired by the heat ne- 

 cessarily evolved during the decomposition of the parent-bulb. And this, in fact, 

 really does take place, for in some strong bulbs which have been examined, 

 a second embryonic germ occasionally occurs on the side in immediate con- 

 tact with the parent bulb, as well as one on the opposite side. This, however, 

 so far as has been observed, is seldom or never developed beyond the first stage 

 of growth ; the vital activity being in all probability checked by one or other of 

 the causes above assigned. 



These are no visionary speculations, but plain and simple facts, clear and de- 

 monstrable to all. They are in themselves eloquent : they require no index to 

 point out to us that " Great Workmaster" to whom they would lead our thoughts ; 

 nor need they, it is humbly hoped, any stimulus to excite in our hearts feelings of 

 gratitude and adoration. 



" This must, however, be understood with some latitude ; for in very strong bulbs the 

 second embryonic bulb does often become fully developed : but in this case its position will 

 be found to be, not in immediate contact with the parent bulb, but rather on one side. 



VOL. I. 2 N 



