BOTANICAL: THE TTPPEB CLASSES. 



173 



delight as we ponder over their variety and beauty 

 whether it be a weakly climber as the clematis, or the 

 sturdy branch or root of the giant old oak; the young 

 branch of the pepper tree, or the slice from a bamboo 

 cane ; in each and all we shall be surprised and delighted. 



But now, having drawn your attention to these trans- 

 verse sections of the woody parts of some of our plants, 

 let me ask you to think of their fruits, and of that which, 

 carefully concealed in them, as our souls are in our bodies, 

 we call their seed. 



Look at this transverse section of a common cherry- 

 stone. You will see how its hardness is produced in 

 such a soft, fleshy substance, 

 and what security has been 

 afforded to the most important 

 part of the plant, namely, that 

 which is the pledge and as- 

 surance of its future life. 

 Separate and distinct cells of 

 singularly beautiful design and 

 solidity, more resembling a 

 multitude of microscopical sun- 

 flowers than anything else, 

 protect the germ within. How 

 shall it escape from the hard 

 walls of its prison ? 



When the present London 

 Bridge was built in 1831, pedestals of granite surmount- 

 ing the piers on the northern side of the river were 

 erected ; they are there now, and will doubtless remain 

 for many future years. One day I observed a small tree 

 growing upon one of them. I watched that tree from 

 week to week with great interest, almost as much as 

 poor Piccioli did the little flower in his Italian prison. 



Transverse section of cherry- 

 stone. 



