HABITATIONS OF PLANTS. 293 



from the scorching rays of the sun ; their leaves serving as fans 

 and umbrellas. The leaf of the banana is broad and long, like 

 an apron ; it has acquired the name of Adam's fig leaf. The 

 leaves of the cocoa tree are said to be from twelve to fifteen 

 feet long, and from seven to eight broad. Those of the talipot 

 tree are equal in size. A traveller remarks respecting the 

 leaves of the talipot tree, that one is capable of covering from 

 fifteen to twenty persons. The soldiers, he says, use it for a 

 covering to their tents. He remarks, that it seems an inesti- 

 mable blessing of Providence in a country burnt up by the sun, 

 and inundated by rains for six months of the year. In our 

 climate* during the warm season, Providence bestows upon us 

 a rariety of juicy and acid fruits, cherries, peaches, plums, me- 

 lons and berries ; nuts and many fruits are fitted for preserva- 

 tion during the winter, so that we are never destitute of these 

 bounties. 



A remarkable instance of the care of Providence in provi- 

 ding for the wants of man, appears in what is related of a plant 

 found amidst the burning deserts of Africa ; the leaf of which 

 is said to be in the form of a pitcher, and to possess the property 

 of secreting moisture to such a degree as to form a quantity of 

 water sufficient for a draught to a thirsty person ;* the end of 

 the leaf is folded over the throat, as if to prevent the evapora- 

 tion of the fluid. f Various plants and trees, in hot regions, 

 furnish refreshing draughts to the thirsty traveller. 



These remarks might be pursued to an extent as great as the 

 vastness of the vegetable kingdom, and wants of man ; we have 

 merely glanced at the subject of the adaptation of plants to the 

 wants of animal life, hoping that these few suggestions may lead 

 you to trace, from your own observation of the works of na- 

 ture, the great designing mind, which rules and governs all 

 with infinite wisdom and benevolence. 



The earth, then, we .find to be covered with a multitude of 

 species of plants, differing not more by their externa-1 forms, 

 than by their internal structure, each endowed with peculiar 

 habits and instincts. 



Some species seem adapted to the mountains, some to the 

 valleys, and others to the plains ; some require an argillaceous 

 or clayey soil, others a calcareous soil, or one impregnated with 

 lime ; others a quartzose or sandy soil, and some will only 

 grow where the earth contains soda or marine salts. Many 



* This plant, from the general description of the leaf, would seem to be the 

 Sarracenia ; this, however, only grows in marshes, 

 t See Part I. 



A plant found in the deserts of Africa Reflection Plants adapted to vari- 

 ous soils, &c. 



25* 



