3$ STUDIES OF NATURE. 



will be fufficient, at prefent, to produce a fingle 

 example, which inconteftably proves the exiftence 

 of thofe harmonic Laws of Nature : it is this, that 

 they fubfift even in places not expofed to the view 

 of the Sun. We always find, in the cells of the 

 mole, fragments of the bulbous root of the col- 

 chica, clofe by the neft of her young. Now, let 

 any one examine all the plants which ufually grow 

 in our meadows, and he will find none which forms 

 more harmonies and contrails with the black co- 

 lour of the mole, than the white, impurpled, and 

 lilach-coioured flowers of the colchica. This plant, 

 likewife, furni flies powerful means of defence to 

 the feeble mole againft her natural enemy, the 

 dog, who is continually hunting after her in the 

 meadows ; for he is poifoned if he eats it. For 

 this reafon, the colchica has obtained the trivial 

 name of dog-bane. The mole, then, finds a fup- 

 ply of food for her necefiities, and a protection 

 againft her enemies, in the colchica, as the bull- 

 finch does in the white thorn. Such harmonies 

 are not only very agreeable objects of fpeculation, 

 but may be turned to very good practical account; 

 for, from what has juft been fuggefted, it will fol- 

 low, that if you with to allure the bullfinch to 

 your fhrubbery, you have only to plant the white 

 thorn ; and if you would clear your grounds of 

 the mole, exterminate the bulbs of the colchica. 



If 



