296 THE BEA8ON WHY 



" Say not ye, There are four months, and then cometh harvest ? behold, I say 



unto you, Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields ; for they are white 



already to harvest." JOHN iv. 



years; and as soon as it had acquired a favourable situation, to shoot as 

 vigorously as if just gathered from the plant. Then, as to the second point, the 

 temporary support of the future plant, the matter stands thus. In grain, and 

 pulse, and kernels, and pipins, the germ composes a very small part of the 

 seed. The rest consists of a nutritious substance, from which the sprout draws 

 its aliment for some considerable time after it is put forth ; viz., until the 

 fibres, shot out from the other end of the seed, are able to imbibe j uices from 

 the earth, in a sufficient quantity for its demand. It is owing to this constitu- 

 tion that we see seeds sprout, and the sprouts make a considerable progress, 

 without any earth at all. 



From the conformation of fruits alone, one might be led, even without ex- 

 perience, to suppose, that part of this provision was destined for the utilities of 

 animals. As limited to the plant, the provision itself seems to go beyond its 

 object. The flesh of an apple, the pulp of an orange, the meat of a plum, the 

 fatness of the olive, appear to be more than sufficient for the nourishing of the 

 seed or kernel. The event shows, that this redundancy, if it be one, ministers to 

 the support and gratification of animal natures ; and when we observe a provi- 

 sion to be more than sufficient for one purpose, yet wanted for another purpose, 

 it is not unfair to conclude that both purposes were contemplated together. 

 Paley. 



1173. Why have climbing plants tough curly tendrils? 

 Because, having no woody stalks of their own to support them, 



they require to take hold of surrounding objects, and raise them- 

 selves from the ground by climbing. Their spiral tendrils are, 

 therefore, so many hands, assisting them to rise from the earth. 



1174. Why does the pea put forth tendrils, and the lean 

 not? 



Because the bean has in its stalk sufficient woody fibre to support 

 itself, but the pea has not. We do not know a single tree or shrub 

 having a firm strong stem sufficient for its support which is also 

 supplied with tendrils. 



1175. Why do the ears of wheat stand up by day, and turn 

 down ly night ? 



Because, when the ear is becoming ripe, the cold dew falling into 

 the ear, might induce blight; the ears therefore turn down to the 

 earth, and receive warmth by radiation. 



1176. Why have grasses, corn, canes, fyc., joints, or 

 knots in their stalks. 



Because a long hollow stem would be liable to bend and break. 

 But the joints are so many points where the fibres are bound 

 together, and the structure greatly strengthened 



