BOTANICAL: THE UPPER CLASSES. 177 



be such extraordinary "power" given to a plant in its 

 transition from a little seed to a great tree, so that it 

 could burst open a tomb secured with hard stone and 

 iron, like power shall be given to that which, sown 

 a " natural body," shall be raised a " spiritual body " ? 



Ah! say not that I am preaching a sermon upon 

 trees, but not describing our objects. Our story is about 

 the microscope and its lessons, and by the law of associa- 

 tion this remembrance of the London Bridge cherry tree, 

 although above half a century old, came to my mind while 

 examining the beautiful structure of the stone. 



But, indeed, if I have moralized a little, I have been 

 in good company. My botanical teacher, Dr. Balfour, 

 Professor of Botany and Medicine in the Edinburgh 

 University, does not think it beneath him to draw a 

 moral from trees, nor even to see in their peaceful lives 

 an allegory of something more ; and as he does not think 

 it inappropriate to his studies, why should I ? 



Let me, therefore, conclude our botanical study with 

 a few of his remarks on the striking analogies which a 

 devout mind can discover in the vegetable kingdom. 



He is writing about fruit. " From all that has been said 

 about fruit," he says, "many important lessons may be 

 drawn. Thus, man in his natural state brings no fruit to 

 perfection (Luke viii. 14) ; it is, like the crab-apple, unfit 

 for the Master's use. Hosea, in speaking of Israel's attempts 

 to exhibit fruit, says, 'Israel is an empty vine; he bringeth 

 forth fruit unto himself (x. 1). It is only when grafted 

 by the great Husbandman into the true Vine (John xv. 1), 

 and into the oil-bearing Olive (Kom. xi. 24), that man 

 can bring forth good fruit, even unto life eternal (John 

 iv. 36). Our blessed Lord says to His disciples, ' As the 

 branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the 

 vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in Me. I am 



if 



