lie would observe the rankness of vegetation where animal 

 exuviae were deposited, and thence would be taught the use of 

 Manures. Thus as necessity prompted an attention to Plants, 

 so experience would give birth to their culture. These sup- 

 positions are supported as probable by the knowledge we 

 j)ossess of the various nations of the World, and their various 

 grades of improvement; they are supported by every day's 

 experience, for this deHionstrates that every Art is comprised 

 of the results of experiments, and that is the most perfect, in 

 illustration of which the most have been obtained. Imme- 

 diately after the flood Noah planted a Vineyard, and became 

 intoxicated with the produce of its fruit. This slender in- 

 formation substantiates the supposition of their rapid im- 

 provement in the Arts, for Wine though discovered by chance, 

 would require lengthened attention and practice to manufac- 

 ture, yet Noah was only the tenth descendant from Adam. 



That their attention was chiefly confined to fruits is evi- 

 dent. In Jacob's time the Vine, the Fig and the Almond, are 

 frequently but exclusively, mentioned as products of the Gar- 

 den. As might be anticipated, considering the warmth of 

 their climate, a Cistern or Well of W\ater, a Fig Tree, and a 

 Vine appear to have accompanied every habitation. Nuts and 

 Almonds were also reckoned among the most choice produc- 

 tions of the country ; they are specified as" being of the best 

 fruits of the land," in the present which Israel sent to the 

 governor of Egypt.* By this time Man had become habitu- 

 ated to a stationary life ; property in land became appreci- 

 able ; their cultivated lands were enclosed and Trees were 

 grown in their hedge-rows. f The laws issued on Mount Sinai 

 extended to the protection of their Vineyards. Olives, Leeks, 

 Onions, Garlic, Cucumbers and Melons, were among the in- 

 habitants of their Gardens. J; Their Vineyards were so exten- 

 sive that Solomon had one which let for one thousand jiieces 

 of silver per annum. || 



* Gencshxliii. 11. + Ibul. xxiii. 9. $ Numl), xi. 5. || Canlirl.^s viii. 12. 



B 2 



