44. LIFE OF A TREE. 
of texture, as to make it a pleasure even to touch 
these new-born organs. And the young branches 
seem so full of sap, as if they would burst their 
half-transparent coat. Then, too, every process 
of life appears in such vigour! ‘The plant seems 
to drink in with joy the fresh-fallen shower ; 
and grows at such a rate as almost to become 
visibly taller while we watch it. Strong in the 
vigour of its youth, and beautiful as strong, it 
has not yet felt the hardening influence of the 
world into which it has entered. Hours of genial 
sunshine gently pass over its head, morning and 
evening showers drop softly on its tender struc- 
tures, and the moist earth fills its hungry roots 
with hourly food. It has never yet encountered 
the fury of the tempest, nor felt the heavy sweep- 
ings of the thunder-shower, nor the paralysing 
influence of the clear, cold, frosty nights. Be- 
fore it is called upon to undergo these trials of 
vegetable life, it will have been hardened, and 
strengthened, so that “as its day, so shall its 
strength be.” 
When we take up a young plant which has 
just emerged from the bosom of the soil, and 
place it in contrast with a full-crown tree of the 
