3ECT. II. VEGETATIONS 1 1 



spirits in new generations; which it had received from 

 putrefactions. 



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FIRE, as it operates from the prime body of it the 

 SUN, gives life and energy to all, completing the 

 process of nature. There is no existing without ex- 

 ternal heat. Its total absence would presently bring 

 all animation to the coldness of death ! 



The sun by its warmth (conveyed by the air) sets 

 forward that fermentation in the earth, and gives 

 that spirit to plants, which effects growth, and con- 

 cocts their juices to make them fruitful. 



It is by the rarefaction of the air and juices con- 

 tained in the roots, and all the parts of a plant, that 

 niotion and expansion are given to it ; and by its 

 ascending force, pushes into buds, leaves, flowers 

 and fruits ; sending off superfluous and excrement!- 

 tious moisture into the atmosphere, thus giving us 

 the scents peculiar to each. That the sun does this, 

 is evident from what is experienced in artificial 

 warmth, hurrying on the growth of plants, which is 

 ever proportionate to the heat applied, provided 

 there is a proper supply of moisture. 



Without the vivifying sun, the other elements 

 would be inactive matter, and " no longer would the 

 Jig-tree blossom, nor fruit be in the vine : The labour 

 of the olive would fail, and the fields yield no meat" 

 The operative power of the sun reaches the deepest 

 recesses, to beds of metals, and to " the place of 

 sapphires ; qnd there is nothing hid from the heat 

 thereof." 



What blessings does this bounteous planet pour 

 On the glad heart of man, when rolling round 

 His azure road, he scatters as he flies, 

 fo warm his raptur'd bosom, light and joy ! 



HEWCOMH. 



