399 



NOTES ON THE PLANTAIN AND 

 BANANA TREES. 



(.See Page 385, Vol.1.) 



If we regard the immense varieties of the 

 vegetable kingdom, their peculiar forms, large 

 and minute flowers of splendid tints, and 

 delicious fruits, — we find them all conduce to 

 the happiness and luxury of man — affording 

 him raiment, food, and adding to the comforts of 

 his existence. 



When we contemplate the vegetable produc- 

 tions of nature, we find that they impart a tran- 

 quillity to the mind, which the animal kingdom, 

 ever slaves to conflicting passions, can never 

 produce ; — when suff'ering from violent emotions, 

 an indescribable degree of repose is felt while 

 viewing the tranquil but beautiful scene of a 

 well-furnished garden, or the more magnificent 

 grandeur of forest scenery. A calmness is 



