190 THE CHRISTIAN NATURALIST. 



buds for the coming year. And when this purpose 

 was fully answered they did not fall at once : even 

 then Providence took care that they should decay and 

 wither on the trees themselves, rather than on the 

 ground; for the putrefaction of so much vegetable 

 matter in a green state on the surface of the earth 

 might have been attended with serious consequences 

 to the health of the human race. This therefore was 

 prevented by a gradual decay, and the leaves were also 

 kept long enough on the trees to provide for the safety 

 of the next generation of buds, which were at that 

 time in their infant state ; thus affording not only a 

 striking instance of design in the system of natural 

 causes, but furnishing moreover a beautiful picture of 

 the careful provision which is made for the constant 

 renewal of the human race, notwithstanding the regu- 

 lar inroads of death and disease upon the generations 

 of man in every age and country. *'One generation," 



ing of diseased parts in the animal economy : and Keith ob- 

 serves, that if it is necessary to illustrate the fall of the leaf by 

 any analogous process in the animal economy, it may be com- 

 pared to that of the shedding of the antlers of the stag, or of 

 the hair or feathers of other beasts and birds, which being like 

 the leaves of plants, distinct and peculiar organs fall oflf and 

 are renewed annually, but do not slough. — LondLoWs EncyclO' 

 padiaof Gardening, p. 196. 



