134 NATURAL HISTORY 



of food sufficient for that germ when thrown from 

 the parent stock, till it shall put forth roots and 

 leaves, and be able to compel the earth and air to 

 minister to its wants. And when the acorn drops, 

 or the grape-seed matures, what can you see, with 

 the aid of your keenest scalpel and most perfect 

 glasses, that shall show you that the work is com- 

 pleted, without a single mistake, in all the countless 

 myriads that fall in every valley and on every 

 mountain-side? But in one is a force lodged that 

 shall send up the stout trunk, spread its branches, 

 expand its leaves, and produce its fruit, a perfect 

 oak, and from the other shall come up the leaning 

 stem to climb the oak with loving tendrils, spread 

 its thick foliage among its branches, and mingle its 

 rich clusters of purple with the humble russet of the 

 acorn in its cup. 



Or go with me to the field, and watch the setting 

 of the golden rows of corn. From the shaking tas- 

 sel falls in every breeze a shower of vital dust, and 

 from the center of the husky ear each half-formed 

 kernel throws out its line of silk to catch the float- 

 ing cells of life. And as it gathers in its portion 



