52 STUDIES OF NATURE. 



in it's turn re-adts on the Earth, by the (hade 

 which contributes to it's freflinefs, by the ofFal 

 which fertilizes it, and by the roots which bind 

 it's different 7??77/i7. 



I fhall adhere, however, to the exterior charac- 

 ters by which Nature feems to divide them into 

 different genera. Their principal charafler, it is 

 very difficult to determine, not only becaufe the 

 fimpleft plant unites a very great variety of rela- 

 tions to all the Elements, but becaufe Nature does 

 not place the charaâier of her works, in any one 

 of the parts, but in their combination. We fhall 

 feek that of each plant, therefore, in it's grain, 

 which, as being the principle, muft unite every 

 thing proper for it's expanfion, and determine, at 

 leaft, the Element in which it muft grow. Thofe, 

 accordingly, which have grains extremely volatile, 

 or furnifhed with tufts of down, pinions, fails, &c. 

 fhall be referred to the Air. They grow, in fadt, 

 in places expofed to the wind, as moft part of the 

 gramineous, of the thiftle tribe, &c. Thofe which 

 have fins, floaters, and other inftruments of fwim- 

 ming, fliall be affigned to the Water ; not only 

 fuch as the fucus, the alga, and other fea-plants, 

 but the cocoa tree, the walnut, the almond, and 

 other vegetables which affeâ: the Water's edge. 

 Thofe, finally, which, by their roundnefs, and 

 other varieties of form, are adapted for rolling, 



fpringing, 



