NATURAL THEOLOGY. 309 



CHAPTER XX. 



OF PLANTS. 



I THINK a designed and studied mechanism to be 

 in general more evident in animals than in plants ; 

 and it is unnecessary to dwell upon a weaker ar- 

 gument where a stronger is at hand. There are, 

 however, a few observations upon the vegetable 

 kingdom which lie so directly in our way, that it 

 would be improper to pass by them without notice. 



The one great intention of nature in the struc- 

 ture of plants seems to be the perfecting of the 

 seed, and, what is part of the same intention, the 

 preserving of it until it be perfected. This inten- 

 tion shows itself, in the first place, by the care 

 which appears to be taken to protect and ripen, 

 by every advantage w4iich can be given to them 

 of situation in the plant, those parts which most 

 immediately contribute to fructification, viz., tlie 

 antherse, the stamina, and the stigmata. These 

 parts are usually lodged in the centre, the recesses, 

 or the labyrinths of the flow^er — during their ten- 

 der and immature state are shut up in the stalk, 

 or sheltered in the bud — as soon as they have ac- 

 quired firmness of texture sufficient to bear ex- 

 posure, and are ready to perform the important 

 office which is assigned to them, they are disclosed 



