154 



the most useful upon their planet. The form of this fruit is very round, 

 typifying slightly the cocoa-nut, and is used among the inhabitants as 

 a kind of bread ; and its action upon the system is highly invigorating. 

 The bark of this tree is also extensively used for many purposes, with 

 a kind of glue that proceeds from another tree. It is used in the con- 

 struction of their habitations and in the formation of garments. 

 But there is another vegetable of a low stature, that produces very 

 fine and beautiful fibres, which are very neatly woven together, and 

 used generally among them as their main apparel." — i. 197. 



Vegetation of Venus. — " There are many species of plants existing 

 upon its surface. It is unnecessary to classify them ; for it would be 

 of little importance or use to the world. The trees are generally low, 

 very stout, and very extensively branched. From these to the most 

 delicate plant there is a constant assuming of higher stations, according 

 to the ascending degrees of refinement. Yet there is much variegated 

 foliage, and many useful and tender plants existing upon its surface." 

 — i. 203. 



Vegetation of Mercury. — " The vegetable productions of this planet 

 are not very numerous, and are not so refined in composition as those 

 upon other planets. There are but three general classes of plants, and 

 from the lowest to the highest of these we find upon earth a corre- 

 spondence. But as to form and height and beauty, they do not equal 

 those of any other planet. The highest vegetable productions gene- 

 rally rise but a few inches above the surface. There are no flowers, 

 nor foliage, nor trees, that cast pleasing shades : but all vegetable forms 

 are full and gross, rising but little from the surface of the ground." — 

 i. 206. 



However firm my conviction of Mr. Davis's extensive reading in theo- 

 logy, ancient history, and all the subjects connected therewith, I feel 

 disposed to give him credit for profound ignorance of botany : there 

 is internal evidence of this : he may have rapidly skimmed over the 

 introductory works of compilers, caught at the meaning of terms, and 

 learned by rote without attempting to understand certain of the more 

 ordinary definitions; but as to botanical knowledge, properly so called, 

 it seems next to impossible to imagine a more complete absence of 

 everything worthy the name. A little knowledge, a little study, might 

 have given a degree of plausibility to the affair : like his countryman 

 who detailed Sir J. W. Herschell's zoological researches in the moon, 

 he should have tutored himself into the capability of giving an air of 

 truth to the heartless hoax he has attempted : he should have taught 

 himself the art of giving his revelations the appearance of being 

 genuine. 



