PLANT LIFE. 41 



thus proving the fact that no two persons looking at a rainbow 

 at the same time, see exactly the same rainbow. 



I have described this simply as an example of those many 

 wonders of nature, which are found in places remote and diffi- 

 cult of access, and which we seek with great toil and expense. 

 But we need not climb the mountain peaks to find the wonders 

 of creation ; there are mysteries and wonders in the vegetable 

 creation of equal interest, which every one may study and ad- 

 mire in his own garden free of cost. The objects within our 

 own reach often surpass in wander those we travel miles after. 

 These hidden mysteries of the plant are the true miracles. 



A person once complained to a friend of mine, of the modern 

 scepticism as to miracles, and the ingenious doubts and specula- 

 tions of science in regard to them. My friend plucked a clover 

 blossom at his feet, and replied — " I need no higher miracle than 

 that. Tell us how, century after century, this humble flower 

 has perpetuated its mysterious birth and growth. Tell us why 

 the seed has kept its plighted faith to the spring, and year after 

 year has blossomed always the same. Tell us who taught it to 

 seek out in the dark ground, or in the invisible air that subtle 

 food which it turns into its own substance. Tell us how this 

 plant, which we call lifeless and inanimate, can produce from its 

 own being that mysterious seed which man's inventive brain not 

 only cannot imitate, but cannot even understand its laws, its 

 structure or its creation ; and we will then talk of other mira- 

 cles, and discuss probabilities ; until then we will not ask for 

 higher miracles." 



From the preceding observations, we may conclude that the 

 leaves are absolutely necessary to cherish the blossom-buds 

 formed at the foot-stalk, aided by the agency of light, which is 

 absolutely necessary to the operation of the generating power, 

 and that the blossoms and fruit are dependent on the leaves for 

 the preparation of the food, which is derived from the atmo- 

 sphere and the roots. The greater the surface of leaves and 

 branches, exposed to the influence of the sun and air, the greater 

 the quantity of sap prepared and appropriated towards the 

 growth of the plant ; and the richer the quality of food furnished, 

 the mord! robust the plant ; and the quality of the fruit will be 

 in proportion to the health and exposure of the stalks and 

 leaves. The soil is the laboratory in which the food of the plant 

 6* 



