PLANTS 227 



CHAPTER XX 



OF PLANTS. 



I THINK a designed and studied mechanism to l»e in gen- 

 eral more evident in animals than in plants; and it is un- 

 necessary to dwell upon a weaker argument where a stronger 

 IS at hand. There are, however, a few observations upon 

 the vegetable kingdom which lie so directly in our way, that 

 it would be improper to pass by them without notice. 



The one great intention of nature in the structure of 

 plants, seems to be the perfecting of the seed, and, what is 

 part of the same intention, the preserving of it until it be 

 lierfected. This mtention shows itself, in the first place, by 

 the care which appears to be taken to protect and ripen, by 

 every advantage which can be given to them of situation in 

 the plant, those parts which most immediately contribute to 

 fructification, namely, the antherse, the stamina, and the 

 stigmata. These parts are usually lodged in the centre, the 

 recesses, or the labyrinths of the flower ; during their tender 

 and immature state, are shut up in the stalk, or sheltered in 

 the bud ; as soon as they have acquired firmness of texture 

 sufficient to bear exposure, and are ready to perform the 

 important office which is assigned to them, they are disclosed 

 to the light and air by the bursting of the stem or the expan- 

 sion of the petals , after which they have, in many cases, 

 by the very form of the flower during its blow, the light and 

 warmth reflected upon them from the concave side of the 

 cup. What is called also the sZeep of plants, is the leaves or 

 petals disposing themselves in such a manner as to shelter 

 the young stems, buds, or fruit. They turn up, or they fall 

 down, according as this purpose renders cither change of 

 position requisite. In the growth of corn, whenever the 

 plant begins to shoot, the two upper leaves of the stalk join 

 together, embrace the ear, and protect it till the pulp has 



