PLANTS. 23) 



and flowers, the variety of the seed-vessels is incomputable 

 We have the seeds, as in the pea tribe, regularly disposed in 

 parchment pods, which, though soft and membranous, com- 

 pletely exclude the wet, even in the heaviest rains ; the pod 

 also, not seldom, as in the bean, lined with a fine down ; at 

 other times, as in the senna, distended like a blown bladder ; 

 or we have the seed enveloped in wool, as in the cotton- 

 plant, lodged, as in pines, between the hard and compact 

 scales of a cone, or barricaded, as in the artichoke and 

 thistle, with spikes and prickles ; in mushrooms, placed 

 under a penthouse ; in ferns, within slits in the back part 

 of the leaf; or, which is the most general organization of 

 all, we find them covered by strong, close tunicles, and at- 

 tached to the stem according to an order appropriated to 

 each plant, as is seen in the several kinds of grains and 

 of grasses. 



In which enumeration, what we have first to notice is, 

 unity of purpose under variety of expedients. Nothing can 

 be more single than the design, more diversified than the 

 means. Pellicles, shells, pulps, pods, husks, skin, scales 

 armed with thorns, are all employed in prosecuting the same 

 intention. Secondly, we may observe, that in all these 



fruits grow in the hottest places. Cucumbers, pineapples, meloii:^, are 

 the natural produce of warm climates, and contribute greatly, by their 

 coolness, to the refreshment of the inhabitants of those countries. 



I will add to this note the following observation, communicated to 

 rae by Mr. Brinldey. 



"The eatable part of the cherry or peach first serves the purpose; 

 of perfecting the seed or kernel, by means of vessels passing through 

 the stone, and which are very visible in a peach-stone. After the 

 kernel is perfected, the stone becomes hard, and the vessels cease their 

 functions ; but the substance surrounding the stone is not then thrown 

 away as useless. That which was before only an instrvunent for per- 

 fecting the kernel, now receives and retains to itself the whole of tho 

 Bun's influence, and thereby becomes a grateful food to man. Also, 

 what an evident mark of design is the stone protectmg the kernel 

 The intervention of the stone prevents the second use from interfering 

 with the first." 



