292 STUDIES OF NATURE. 



influence which moral ideas may diffufe over 

 Landfcapes. 



Plants, then, are not fcattered about at random 

 over the Earth ; and though nothing has been hi- 

 therto faid refpedling their general arrangement in 

 different Climates, this fimple fketch is fufficient 

 to demonftrate, that there is order in their combi- 

 nation. If we examine, in like manner, however 

 fuperficially, their expanfion, their attitude, their 

 magnitude, and proportions, we fhall find that 

 there is as much harmony in the aggregation of 

 their parts, as in that of their fpecies. It is impof- 

 fible, in any one refpeft, to confider them as mere 

 mechanical produ6tions of heat and cold, of dry- 

 nefs and humidity. Our fcientific Syftems have 

 brought us back precifely to the opinions which 

 precipitated barbarous Nations into idolatry, as if 

 it were neceffary that the perfedion of our illumi- 

 nation Ihould be the recommencement and return 

 of our darknefs ; conformably to the well-grounded 

 cenfure of the Author of the Book of Wifdom : 

 Jut ignem, aui fpiritum, ant citatum aè'rem, aut gyrum 

 Jîellarum, mit nimiam aquam, aut folem <if lunam, rec- 

 tor es or bis t err arum Decs putaverimt * ; " They 

 *' could not out of the good things that are feen, 

 " know him that is ; neither, by confidering the 



* Wifdom of Solomon, chap. xiii. ver. 2. 



*' works. 



