PART IV. 



LECTURE XXXIX. 



THE FLOWERING SEASON OF PLANTS. 

 Vernal and Summer Flowers. 



ON entering the fourth division of our course, we find before 

 us an open field, freed, in a great measure, from the technicali- 

 ties of science, and presenting a smooth and delightful path. 

 Hitherto, we have been clearing our way through difficulties, 

 and overcoming obstacles ; first, we were obliged to learn to 

 analyze plants according to the strict rules of botanical science ; 

 next to examine the organs of plants, with their anatomy and 

 physiology ; we then investigated the principles of classifica- 

 tion, as exhibited both in the natural and artificial methods, 

 and followed the arrangements of plants as presented in these 

 different methods. 



The language of botany is now familiar to you, and you 

 may enjoy the pleasant reflection, that by your own industry 

 and application, you have elevated your mind to that state, in 

 which it may with little farther effort enjoy the pleasant views 

 of the vegetalle kingdom which now present themselves. 

 Thus the traveller, having toiled to gain some acclivity, looks 

 complacently around, enjoying the beautiful view before him, 

 in proportion as he has made efforts to attain it. 



We will now suppose the dreary season of winter, yielding 

 to the gentle influences of spring, and organized nature 

 awaking to new life and beauty ; for animals, no less than 

 plants, seem vivified and quickened by the returning warmth 

 of this delightful season. How many, wandering through 

 life " with brute, unconscious gaze," have never made the 

 inquiry, " what causes Spring ?" With the greater part of 

 mankind the ordinary phenomena of nature excite no interest ; 

 it is only when something unexpected occurs, that they think, 

 either of first or second causes. But it is the main object of 

 your education to teach you to reflect, to seek the connexion 



Remarks introductory to the fourth part What causes spring ? 



