SECTION III. 



THORNY SHRUBS AND PLANTS. 



IN the curse pronounced on the ground (Genesis iii. 17, 18) 

 says Dr. A. Clarke, there is much more implied than generally ap- 

 pears. The amazing fertility of some of the most common thistles 

 and thorns renders them the most proper instruments for the fulfil- 

 ment of this sentence against man. Thistles multiply enormously : 

 a species called the Carolina silveslris bears ordinarily from twenty 

 to forty heads, each containing from one hundred to one hundred 

 and fifty seeds. Another species, called the Acanthum vulgare, 

 produces above 100 heads, each containing from 300 to 400 seeds. 

 Suppose we s:.y that these thistles produce at a medium, only 80 

 heads, and that each contains only 300 seeds ; the first crop from 

 these would amount to 24,000. Let these be sown, and their crop 

 will amount to 576 millions. Sow these, and their produce will be 

 13,824,000,000,000, or thirteen billions, eight hundred and twenty- 

 four thousand millions : arid a single crop from these, which is only 

 the third year's growth, would amount to 331,776,000,000,000,000, 

 or three hundred and thirty-one thousand, seven hundred and 

 seventy-six billions; and the fourth year's growth will amount to 

 7962,624,000,000,000,000,000, or seven thousand nine hundred and 

 sixty-two trillions, six hundred and twenty-four thousand billions ! 

 a progeny more than sufficient to stock not only the surface of the 

 whole world, but of all the planets in the solar system, so that no 

 other plant or vegetable could possibly grow, allowing but the 

 space of one square foot for each plant. The Carduus vulgatissi- 

 mus viarum, or common hedge-thistle, besides the almost infinite 

 swarms of winged seeds it sends forth, spreads its roots around 

 many yards, and throws up suckers every where, which not only 

 produce seeds in their turn, but extend their roots, and propagate 

 like the parent plant, and stifle and destroy all vegetation but their 

 own. 



As to thorns, the bramble, which occurs so commonly, and is so 

 mischievous, is a sufficient proof how well the means are calcula- 

 ted to secure the end. The genista, or spinosa vulgaris, called by 

 some furze, by others whins, is allowed to be one of the most mis- 

 chievous shrubs on the face of the earth. Scarcely any thing can 

 grow near it ; and it is so thick set with prickles, that it is almost 

 impossible to touch it without being wounded. It is very prolific ; 

 almost half the year it is covered with flowers, which produce pods 

 filled with seeds. Besides, it shoots out roots far and wide, from 



