366 AN AUTUMNAL THOUGHT. 



the Molluscs, and for our grand whole we have a minimum 

 of half a million of ANIMAL SPECIES ! This is the very figure, 

 observe, at which we arrived as representing the lowest limit 

 of the totality of VEGETABLE SPECIES, living and moving, 

 flourishing, and dying, and reproducing, on the surface of the 

 globe. 



We leave the reader to meditate as meditate he surely 

 must on the sublime thoughts, the overpowering ideas of 

 Power and Wisdom which these considerations suggest. 



WHAT is CHLOROPHYLL? 



We are drawing towards the close of autumn ; we shall 

 soon be in sight of the " melancholy days of the year ; " when, 

 for a while, the " voice of the turtle " will cease in the leafless 

 groves, and the banks and braes will be sadly bare of their 

 floral garniture. As yet, however, the trees retain their glorious 

 vesture, though streaked and varied with the gorgeous colours 

 of decay; and in the sheltered corners of the woods, on the 

 sunny southern slope of the grassy hill, and beneath the covert 

 of the still fragrant hedgerow, many a blossom appeals to our 

 souls with its promptings of sweet images and tender fancies. 

 The arum still raises its clusters of deep-scarlet berries, and 

 spreads its spotted leaf 



" Armed with keen tortures for the unwary tongue ; " 



the blue-bells hang their delicate cups among the thick herb- 

 age ; and the wild marigold contrasts its yellow splendour 

 with all this crimson and azure magnificence. The daisy, 



