10 PLANTS OF MASSACHUSETTS. 



the atmosphere contains the elements of vegetable matter, and 

 plants derive their support from the air as well as from the earth. 

 Experiment has proved that a plant will grow and flourish without 

 any food except that obtained from water and the atmosphere. 

 The reason for giving up exhausted fields to the growth of any 

 vegetables for a few years, is philosophical and conclusive. 

 Without the great fact of vegetables enriching the earth, the 

 reason could not exist. 



4. Many important properties and applications of these plants 

 may yet be discovered and made, so that they may be seen to be 

 more directly useful. Great discoveries have been made in this 

 respect within the last fifty years. It cannot be doubted that the 

 progress of discovery is only just commenced. The beautiful 

 colors for painting, called lakes, are many of them obtained from 

 vegetables, and many more may yet be procured. Combinations, 

 too, of vegetable matter may develope important powers. With- 

 out this, indeed, important uses have already been seen. 



5. The beauty and variety of vegetable life are in themselves a 

 useful end. In this way are displayed the wisdom, power, and 

 contrivance of the Creator ; the illimitable means at his control ; 

 the effecting of the same ends by objects so diverse ; the adapta- 

 tion of means to ends ; the constant supervision of his agency ; 

 the ceaseless variety amidst surprising uniformity. 



These are reasons amply adequate to produce an interest in 

 respect to all parts of vegetables. The purification of the at- 

 mosphere alone, and preserving in it the due proportion of oxy- 

 gen in a state to support life, invests the world of vegetables with 

 new attractions. 



