BOTANICAL: THE UPPER CLASSES. 159 



ing part of this beautiful object is tbat where the for- 

 mation of the new branch is seen showing bundles of 

 spiral fibre and numbers of beautifully formed prismatic 

 raphides. 



Who would think of finding all these wonders in a 

 " bit of wood " ? Who, except my friend the honey-bee, 

 would discover the sweet things which lie concealed in the 

 blossom which, remember, is merely the leaf perfected ? 

 We judge too often by appearances only. " Leaves," 

 says Leigh Hunt, " seem light, and useless, and idle, and 

 wavering, and changeable they even dance ; yet God 

 has made them part of the oak. In so doing, He has 

 given us a lesson not to deny the stout-heartedness within 

 because we see the lightsomeness without." And, lastly, 

 think : the oak and the beech and other of our forest trees 

 owe their durability to their deep-rootedness ; so, if we 

 are " rooted and grounded " in the soil of faith, we shall 

 bring forth much fruit. 



From leaves we naturally expect to pass on to flowers, 

 and in such an examination what a feast will be pre- 

 pared for our mental appetites ! 



Let me first offer a little advice as to the examination 

 of flowers under the microscope. Better still, as it is the 

 very prime of summer, we will suppose that I fetch a few . 

 from the garden, and regale your sense, not only with 

 their aroma, but their beauty. 



" Consider the lilies," said Jesus ; and if we do con- 

 sider, what an eloquent sermon shall we hear upon life, 

 death, and resurrection ! 



" Yes, flowers have tongues. God gave to each 



A language of its own, 

 And bade the simple blossom teach 



Where'er its seeds are sown. 

 His voice is on the mountain's height, 



And by the river's side, 



