THE CHRISTIAN NATURALIST. 29 



of a plant "which had escaped the general destruction, 

 upon some of the high mountains of Armenia; certain 

 it is that within about the space of two months from 

 the first drying of the earth, it was again overspread 

 with a fresh vegetation ; at least there was enough to 

 maintain the various races of the herbivorous animals 

 that had been preserved with Noah in the Ark. Here, 

 then, we have a marvellous instance of that vitality of 

 the seeds of the earth which was so important for the 

 renovation of the face of nature, and the support of its 

 children. But however striking this fact may appear, it 

 is scarcely more wonderful than others which are 

 of almost daily occurrence. Ground which has not been 

 disturbed for some hundred of years on being ploughed 

 or turned- up for a considerable depth, has frequently 



suflFered, not to take into the account that the whole surface of 

 the globe seems then to have been torn up either by some disrup- 

 tions from within, or by the force of the diluvial currents from 

 without. If it be asked how in seven days a leaf could have 

 been produced from the seed of an olive, the answer is obvious. 

 Some extraordinary energy was imparted to vegetation at this 

 period, or its surface could not so soon have aflForded food for 

 the animal tribes. Two things, however, must be taken into 

 consideration ; a tropical climate, with perhaps a higher 

 temperature than at present, and a soil saturated with 

 moisture. 



