I 32 Natural Theology. 



A second matter of interest is the variety of 

 habit in plants, by which they are fitted to so much 

 of the surface of the earth. There are but few 

 places where vegetation of some kind cannot be 

 found. The variety of structure and of habit by 

 which this is secured, is certainly worthy of an 

 intelligent and wise Creator. 



Not only does every zone have its vegetation, 

 but every variety of soil has its own peculiar plants. 

 The various trees may mingle together to form a 

 forest, but the willows line the borders of streams, 

 bind the banks together, and bathe their thirsty 

 roots in the water. The grasses weave their car- 

 pet in the meadows ; the dry and wet lands having 

 very different kinds, which always find their own 

 place without the aid of man. The humble lichen 

 adorns the unyielding rock and the trunks of aged 

 trees. 



The fragrant lily lays its long roots beneath the 

 waters, and floats its leaf and flower upon its sur- 

 face. Some plants cluster near the ocean, and 

 others fasten upon the rocks, where its waves can 

 wash them ; and others still plunge deeper down, and 

 form gardens and groves beneath the waters. The 

 feathery palm finds its home in the torrid zone ; the 

 hoary, creeping willow steals along beneath the 

 snow towards the icy pole. Thus the earth is 

 covered with vegetation, and in the vast scale of 

 adaptations presented by the multitudes of species, 

 every zone and every soil is provided for. 



Not only are the plants fitted for every zone and 



