44 CONSTRUCTION OP THE VEGETABLE TRIBES. 



the central stem and its ponderous calyx, each of 

 whose ample leaves, at least seven inches in length 

 and three in breadth, were thick and white within, 

 and reddish brown and prickly on the outside. 

 These hold up and closely embrace the flower, and 

 keep it safe from the splashing of the water, before 

 it is sufficiently expanded to throw off superfluous 

 moisture, and to present its splendid disk to the ac- 

 tion of the sunbeams. We may conjecture that this 

 plant, like the Yallisneria on the Rhone, is enabled 

 to maintain its station on the surface of the river by 

 means of an elastic spiral stalk, which contracts or 

 extends as the river falls or rises. 



But we need not seek in distant regions for in- 

 stances of wisdom and beneficence among the vege- 

 table tribes ; they occur in every meadow and in 

 every hedgerow. Observe, for instance, the white 

 archangel, which grows among long grass, and the 

 papilionaceous tribes on places open to the wind. 

 The petals of the one are arched to protect the open 

 seeds, the blossoms of the other are so constructed 

 as to turn their backs against the wind, in the same 

 manner as a weather-cock. Happy are those, said 

 the poet Gray, who can raise a rose-bush, or culti- 

 vate an honeysuckle, who can watch with pleasure 

 a brood of chickens, or young ducklings as they 

 sail upon the water; in other words, happy are 

 they who can derive enjoyment from the natural 

 objects that surround them. This is a simple truth, 

 yet an unchanging one, and I recommend it to the 

 attention of my readers. I pretend not to say that a 

 taste for natural history will make them happy, reli- 

 gion alone can do so ; but it will render the unhappy 



