VEGETATION. 3 



timate their utility. On this subject numerous folios 

 ^ave been written, and it is yet so far from being ex- 

 hausted, that^it would still furnish matter for a multi- 

 tude of additional volumes ; the limits to which we 

 intend to confine our epistolary correspondence, per- 

 mit us, however, to indulge our curiosity with no 

 more than a transcient view of a subject so interesting 

 and so delightful. 



In examining the materials, of which this stupen- 

 dous whole is composed, yon have, my dear Sir, ob- 

 served, that the bowels of the earth contain a variety 

 of vitrious and calcareous substances, which, by their 

 concretion, form the different kinds of metals, mine- 

 rals, and stones. Its surface is likewise impregnated 

 with a variety of juices, which being rarefied and put 

 in motion by the action of the sun upon them, give 

 birth to innumerable species of vegetables, which 

 supply both men and animals with food, and embellish 

 the face of nature. Every being that has life draws 

 its nourishment from the' earth ; for although men 

 live on animal as well as vegetable food, yet the beef 

 and the mutton, the veal and the lamb, that is served 

 up at our tables, consists of the flesh of oxen and sheep 

 which feed on the grass of the field ; or of lambs and 

 calves, fattened with the milk of their dams, which 

 are supported by vegetation ; and although, as you 

 will see in taking a view of animated nature, numbers 

 of anima-ls live by devouring one another, you will at 

 the same time readily perceive, that those which 

 serve as food for others, are themselves sustained by 

 the productions of the soil, and that the earth, which 

 has for this reason being emphatically called Alma 

 Muter the nourishing mother of all, furnishes the 

 universal support of life. 



In the propagation, the nutriment, and the growth 

 of vegetables, we see a grand display of the attri- 

 butes of the Deity, of his almighty power, his infi- 

 nite wisdom, and his diffusive goodness; but of the 

 theory of this wonderful operation of nature, our 

 knowledge is only superficial, A close inspection: 

 into the structure of plants can alone afford ground 



