36 IHENOMENA OF PLANT-LIFE. 



that of the others, and that the second great primary 

 idea of botanic form is there beginning. There is 

 only one other kind of seed, that adverted to above, 

 as impalpably minute, and floating about in the air in 

 millions. This is the form produced by plants which, 

 like ferns, are destitute of genuine flowers. Internally 

 they are different, they sprout in a different manner ; 

 they indicate the third and last of the great types of 

 the world of plants. Now look to the history of the 

 creation of trees and plants. Three distinct classes 

 are enumerated by the inspired writer, and learned 

 and pious men have been led from this circumstance 

 to believe that at the very gateway of Holy Writ 

 there is set forth the great principle of triplicity which 

 science in these latter ages has demonstrated. So 

 grandly do all things lock together ! Almost the last 

 objects we should look to for a commentary on a 

 statement in Genesis are the sprouting seeds in April ; 

 yet in these seeds are announced differences in the 

 plants that rise from them, that every day makes more 

 and more obvious, and which at last seem to bear out 

 the language that cannot err. 



