THE CHRISTIAN NATURALIST. 129 



thorny hedge, that is, the beards, perhaps to keep off 

 some minute vermin. The whole of this beautiful ap- 

 paratus is probably intended to preserve the precious 

 inclosure from opposite inclemencies — the scorching rays 

 of the sun by which it may be shrunk up and withered 

 before it is sufficiently filled, and too great a lodgment 

 of rain or dew whereby it might be rotted.' 



Another point equally worthy of notice, is the fer- 

 tility here displayed. The reader need not perhaps be 

 told, that this fertility arises in great measure from the 

 number of different stems which spring from each plant 

 or seed ; but he may yet have to learn, that the ordi- 

 nary number of these which in the case of wheat seldom 

 exceeds four in this country, has in some instances 

 reached to forty or fifty : and if we may credit the 

 assertion of ancient writers, has occasionally amounted 

 to several hundreds. Now in this fertility, there is the 

 most evident proof of the goodness of the Creator, as 

 adapting itself to the wants and comforts of his 

 creatures. 



As that great natural philosopher, Ray, observed, 

 long ago in his admirable Treatise, entitled, * the Wis- 

 dom of God manifested in the Works of Creation :* 

 * It is worthy the noting, that wheat which is the best 



