194 VERNAL FLOWEKS. 



that of some prominent individual ; the mind presented with 

 general ideas only, has no means of forming images ; it is 

 in natm-al as in civil history, — general remarks upon the 

 beauty and utility of the vegetable world, or the curious struc- 

 ture of plants, may make but slight impressions. But by con- 

 tem2:)lating tlie peculiarities of some one tribe, genus, or spe- 

 cies, the mind seizes upon something definite; and reason, 

 imagination, and feeling are easily awakened ; thus the impres- 

 sion made is permanent. Of this tendency of the mind We 

 should avail ourselves, by connecting particular imjyressions 

 icitli facts which lead to (jeneral princijyles. Narrow indeed 

 would be our mental vision, Avere it confined to single uncon- 

 nected observations, laid up indiscriminately in the storehouse 

 of thought ; but our minds, not by our owm will, but by a faculty 

 received directly from our Creator, instinctively generalize and 

 arrange their mass of single observations ; and with scarcely an 

 effort we perform that operation in the world of thought within 

 us which the great Linnseus effected in tho vegetable kingdom. 



PART IV. 



LECTUKE XXXYIII. 



THE FLOWERINa SEASON OF TLANTS 



Vernal and Summer Flowers. 



294. Hitherto we have been clearing our way through difficulties, and over- 

 coming obstacles : first, we learned to analyze plants according to the rules of bo- 

 tanical science ; next, to examine the organs of plants anatomically and physiologi- 

 cally ; we tlien investigated the principles of classification as exhibited both in the 

 natural and artificial systems. The language of Botany is now familiar to the 

 diligent student wlio can enjoy the pleasant reflection that by his own industry 

 and application lie has elevated his mind to that state in which it may, witli littlfl 

 further effort, enjoy tlie pleasant views of the vegetable kingdom which now pre- 

 sent tliemselves. Thus the traveler having toiled to gain some accfivity looks 

 complacently around, enjoying the beautiful view before him in proportion to tho 

 efforts made to attain it. 



295. We will now. suppose the dreary season of winter yielding to the gentle' 

 influences of spring, and organized nature awakening to new life and beauty ; — for 

 animals, no less than plants, seem vivified and quickened by the returning warmth 

 ot tliis delightful season. How many wandering through hfe, " with brute, uncon- 

 scious gaze," have never made the inquiry, " What causes Spring ?" With the 

 greater part of mankind the ordinary phenomena of nature excite no interest ; it is 

 only when something unexpected occurs, that they think either of first or second 



294. What we have dore. — 295. What causes spring ? 



