2B TERRESTRIAL ADAPTATIONS. 



much to change, the processes of vegetable life 

 would be interrupted, deranged, distempered. 

 What, for instance, would become of our calen- 

 dar of Flora, if the year were lengthened or 

 shortened by six months? Some of the dates 

 would never arrive in the one case, and the ve- 

 getable processes which mark them would be 

 superseded ; some seasons would be without 

 dates in the other case, and these periods would 

 be employed in a way hurtful to the plants, and 

 no doubt speedily destructive. We should have 

 not only a year of confusion, but, if it were re- 

 peated and continued, a year of death. 



But in the existing state of things, the duration 

 of the earth's revolution round the sun, and the 

 duration of the revolution of the vegetable func- 

 tions of most plants are equal. These two pe- 

 riods are adjusted to each other. The stimulants 

 which the elements apply come at such intervals 

 and continue for such times, that the plant is 

 supported in health and vigour, and enabled to 

 reproduce its kind. Just such a portion of time 

 is measured out for the vegetable powers to exe- 

 cute their task, as enables them to do so in the 

 best manner. 



Now such an adjustment must surely be ac- 

 cepted as a proof of design, exercised in the for- 

 mation of the world. Why should the solar year 

 be so long and no longer ? or, this being of such 

 a length, why should the vegetable cycle be ex- 



