m CONCERNING SECT. IT. 



are weak in their texture, and fo need this fupport ; 

 but thofe that are ilrong have it not, as lilies , tulips, &c. 

 Thofe that have no cup are, however, covered in the 

 bud by fome /heath, to preferve them, while young, 

 and yet too tender to be expofed. 



The leaves of flowers protect and conceal the feed 

 of thofe that bear it, where nature fecretly works to 

 the great end of propagation. The feed is the natural 

 offspring of the flower, and when this is once well 

 formed, the feveral parts of the flower dwindle and 

 difappear. So that while we are admiring the colour, 

 fhape, and perfume of thefe delightful companions of 

 our walks, they are kindly engaged to provide the 

 means of perpetuating pleafure to us. 



The care which the author of natun has taken 

 to preferve the feed of plants, by the flower leaves 

 which contain the embryo, as in a matrix, is admirable! 

 The flowers themfelves come not forth till the feafon 

 fuits their parti cularlemperament ; many are hid till 

 then under the coverture of the earth, and thofe that 

 dare to continue above ground all the year, have yet 

 their gems carefully locked up, and thus their fuccef- 

 fion and their fruits are fecured to us. 



The flowers of plants have a remarkable property, 

 when they begin to unfold, and the feed is yet young 

 and tender; they obferve the courfe of the weather, 

 day and night, opening and (hutting their flowers 

 accordingly. There is alfo a property of fome flower 

 plants, twining round folid bodies, or fixing themfelves 

 to them by clafpers, laying faff hold of what may be 

 in their way. Flowers have many admirable properties 

 and parts, that might be confideied diflinctly, if it 

 were defigned to fpeak of them botanically. 



From floiuers (of which every month in the year 

 has its beauties) we eventually gratify the palate, by a 

 valuable neclar, and from many we immediately reap 

 agreeable odours ; but it is for their colour to de- 

 light 



