196 OF PLANTS. 



To this great variety in organized life the Deity hag 

 given, or perhaps there arises out of it, a corresponding 

 variety of animal appetites. For the final cause of this 

 we have not far to seek. Did all animals covet the same 

 element, retreat, or food, it is evident how much fewer 

 could be supplied and accommodated, that what at present 

 live conveniently together, and find a plentiful subsistence. 

 What one nature rejects, another delights in. Food, which 

 is nauseous to one tribe of animals, becomes by that very 

 property which makes it nauseous, an alluring dainty to 

 another tribe. Carrion is a treat to dogs, ravens, vultures, 

 fish. The exhalations of corrupted substances attract flies 

 by crowds. Maggots revel in putrefaction. 



CHAP. XX. 



OF PLANTS. 



I THINK a designed and studied mechanism to be in gen- 

 eral, more evident in animals, that in plants ; and it is un- 

 necessary to dwell upon a weaker argument, where a 

 stronger is at hand. There are, however, a few observations 

 upon the vegetable kingdom, which lie so directly in our 

 way, that it would be improper to pass them by without 

 notice. 



The one great intention of nature in the structure of 

 plants, seems to be the perfecting of the seed; and, what 

 is part of the same intention, the preserving of it until it 

 be perfected. This intention shows itself, in the first place^ 

 by the care which appears to be taken to protect and ripen, 

 by every advantage which can be given to them of situa- 

 tion in the plant, those parts which most immediately con- 

 tribute to fructification, viz. the antherae, the stamina, and 

 the stigmata. These parts are usually lodged in the cen- 

 tre, the recesses, or the labyrinths of the flower ; during 

 their tender and immature state, are shut up in the stalk, 

 or sheltered in the bud ; as soon as they have acquired 

 firmness of texture sufficient to bear exposure, and are 

 ready to perform the important office which is assigned to 

 them, they are disclosed to the light and air, by the burst- 

 ing of the stem or the expansion of the petals : after which 

 they have, in many cases, by the very form of the flower 

 during its blow, the light and warmth reflected upon them 



