THE BEAUTY OF VEGETABLE GROWTH. 257 



meeting with no affinity, dry up and perish. This law gives 

 us an example of the wondrously perfect adaptation of means 

 to ends in nature. It may be a growth of long continued 

 selection and natural variation of plants by which one spe- 

 cies has become differentiated from another so miifeh, that no 

 reproductive relations can exist or take place between them. 

 It may be an example and proof of design in creation, and 

 the result of the most perfect wisdom and creative power. 

 In either case the pow T er and wisdom which promulgated 

 and which enforces the law of selection and gradual evolu- 

 tion of peculiarities, and the fixity of type from a single germ; 

 and that which might create and maintain each distinct 

 Variation, are equal in every respect; for it is impossible to 

 have considered the amazing fitness and beauty and perfect 

 adaptation which mark the various process by which a plant 

 is produced from its elements, and made to minister to the 

 welfare and happiness of mankind, without being impressed 

 with the belief that these things did not happen by acci- 

 dent, and are not self created ; but are the result of a wise 

 and beneficent power whose existence and action we can- 

 not comprehend; and which is equally worthy of our ven- 

 eration and regard, w r hether it emanates from some supreme 

 creator, or is the result of some force that has been set in 

 action by some grand controlling influence which pervades 

 the universe. The power and wisdom behind these natural 

 laws is the same from whatever source they may spring. 



