274 HARMONIES OF VEGETATION. 



are certain tints which appear to be given according to 

 the situation or circumstances under which a plant 

 may grow. 



Those that are destined to grow immediately on the earth, on 

 strands, or on dusky rocks, are entirely green, leaves and stem, as 

 the greater part of reeds, grasses, mosses, taper-trees, and aloes; 

 such on the contrary, as are intended to issue from amidst herbage, 

 have stems of a brownish hue, like the trunks of most trees and 

 shrubs. The elder, for example, which thrives in the midst of 

 green turf, has the stems of an ash grey ; but the dwarf elder, which 

 otherwise resembles it in every respect, and grows immediately on 

 the ground, has them quite green. 



27. Not only the green of the plant is given to har- 

 monize with other objects, but even the flower and fruit 

 have their shades apparently proportioned accordingly. 



It seems correct, that the blue colour is not to be found in the 

 flowers or in the fruits of lofty trees, for in that case, they would 

 assimilate with the sky, but is very common on the ground in the 

 flowers of herbs, as in the corn-bottle, the scabiosa, the violet, the 

 liver-wort, and others. On the contrary, the colour of the earth is 

 very common in the fruits of lofty trees, as in those of the walnut, 

 the cocoa, the pine, and so on. 



28. In the form of flowers, the most perfect speci- 

 mens of harmony might be selected, which would faith- 

 fully shew, that even in pleasing the sight, the greater 

 object of utility is combined, if not increased . 



This is very sweetly shown in the structure of compound flowers, 

 particularly such as the sunflower and daisy. What would these 

 flowers be in appearance, without their radii ? Yet are the radiated 

 petals of the circumference, not only given to complete a pleasing 

 harmony of sight to the tubular florets of the centra, but they answer 

 an important purpose of moderating the influence of heat, &c. thus 

 is the double object of utility and beauty combined. 



