TIIE SEASON WHY. 323 



* I have caused thee to multiply as the bud of the field, and thou hast increased 

 and waxen great, and thou art come to excellent ornaments." 



EZEEIEL XVI. 



interfere with the formation of wood from the sap upon the outer 

 Burface. 



The vascular structure of endogenous stems lying more 

 abundantly towards their centre, tends to conserve the juices which 

 in hot climates are so highly valued. Palm-wine is a delicious and 

 cooling beverage, and is procured from various kinds of palms, but 

 especially from the cocoa-nut palm. Even the fresh sap is very 

 refreshing. The juice is procured by cutting the tree in the upper 

 part, and attaching a vessel to the opening, to receive the sap. 

 Its flow is increased by cutting off a slice of the wood daily. 



1282. Wliy have endogenous stems no baric? 



Because, one of the chief functions of the bark in exogenous trees; 

 is to protect the sap from which the wood is formed on the outward 

 surface ; and as there is no such external flow of sap in endogenous 

 trees, the bark is unnecessary to them, and is therefore withheld. 

 They are furnished instead with a thin cuticle. 



1283. Why do endogenous stems grow to a great height ? 



Because, as the stem grows from the centre, it soon reaches that 

 limit of diameter which its vascular structure is calculated to 

 support ; and, therefore, the wood-forming sap is deposited chiefly 

 at the top of the stem, causing it to grow to a considerable height. 



1284. Why do the various vegetable fruits ripen in 

 succession ? 



Because the Author of Nature has thus arranged its economy, in 

 order that the wants of living creatures may be adequately provided 

 for. Some vegetable productions arrive at their perfection in the 

 spring ; others in summer ; and others in autumn. Among the 

 latter are many that require to come slowly to maturity after they 

 are gathered) by these the winter season is provided for, and a surplus 

 of the winter stock goes to supply the natural deficiency of spring. 



1285. Why, when seeds are sown, and germination begins, 

 does the leaf-germ seek -the light, and .the root-germ grow 

 down into the earth. ? 



Because the Creator has endowed every single seed with a 



