262 Natural Theology. 



table kingdom, for the same design is apparent in both. 

 In the vegetable kingdom alone, there is a wealth of 

 illustration. There is beauty everywhere, and pro- 

 duced in such ways, that it is often apparent that 

 it was the sole object in creation, while utility and 

 beauty are in other cases conjoined. The beauti- 

 fully cut edge of the leaf favors radiation, and is thus 

 subservient to the welfare of the plant ; but when 

 we consider the varied outline of all the leaves, their 

 increase in beauty, by cultivation, and their combi- 

 nation in the compound forms, we are delighted 

 both by the great variety, and the intrinsic beauty 

 of distinct forms, neither of which certainly is neces- 

 sary. The same is true of the flower. We know 

 what is essential to a perfect flower, that seed may 

 be produced. But what human ingenuity could 

 have ever devised the numberless patterns of the 

 flowers ? How is the mind charmed in some of the 

 great collections, as at Kew, where royal wealth has 

 collected plants from all portions of the world, and 

 where, among the thousands of species, or among 

 varieties that have been produced, not one can be 

 found that has not in it some element of beauty ? 

 If we confine ourselves to the consideration of form 

 alone, there is much to delight us, among even our 

 common flowers. But when we add to form, the 

 matchless coloring, how can man believe that such 

 a provision for his enjoyment was . made by any 

 other than by a Being like himself ; or at least, one 

 that understood his constitution, and desired to gra- 

 tify his emotional nature ? 



