4 ROMANCE OF LOW LIFE AMONGST PLANTS. 



terrestrial vegetation. It could be indicated in what 

 manner fungi are essential to the disintegration of 

 dead matter, and its rejuvenescence in new forms 

 of vegetable life. Past, present, and future, wc 

 may rest assured, that the humblest individuals of 

 the lowest of the Cryptogamia have been, are, and 

 ever will be, as essential in the great unity, which we 

 call Nature, as the loftiest forest tree, or the most 

 odoriferous of beautiful flowers. 



" These are Thy wonders, Lord of power, 

 Killing and quickening, bringing down to hell 



And up to heaven in an hour ; 

 Making a chiming of a passing bell. 

 We say amiss, 

 This or that is : 

 Thy Word is all, if we could spell," 



Number Four. 



It is well known that in Flowering Plants there is 

 a typical number which represents the parts of the 

 floral organs, and those of reproduction. In the 

 larger group of Dicotyledonous plants, those having 

 two seed-leaves, this number is five, which is repre- 

 sented in the five petals, five sepals, five stamens (or 

 some multiple of five), five carpels, etc. In Mono- 

 cotyledonous plants the number is three, which in like 

 manner is represented in the floral organs and in the 

 fruit. There are, of course, some exceptions, but not 

 sufficient to affect the general result. 



In the Cryptogamia there is also a prevalent or 

 typical number, in which the organs, or products, of 

 reproduction are chiefly concerned, and, in this case 

 the number is four. 



