378 NATURAL THEOLOGY. 



that seems to overcome the resistance of its coats, 

 and to open a passage for the seed to escape. 



But the constitution of seeds is still more admi- 

 rable than either their preservation or their disper- 

 sion. In the body of the seed of every species of 

 plant, or nearly of every one, provision is made 

 for two grand purposes : first, for the safety of the 

 germ ; secondly, for the temporary support of the 

 future plant. The sprout, as folded up in the 

 seed, is delicate and brittle beyond any other sub- 

 stance. It cannot be touched w^ithout being bro- 

 ken. Yet, in beans, peas, grass-seeds, grain, fruits, 

 it is so fenced on all sides, so shut up and protect- 

 ed, that, whilst the seed itself is rudely handled, 

 tossed into sacks, shovelled into heaps, the sacred 

 particle, the miniature plant, remains unhurt. It 

 is wonderful how long many kinds of seeds, by the 

 help of their integuments, and perhaps of their 

 oils, stand out against decay. A grain of mus- 

 tard-seed has been known to lie in the earth for a 

 hundred years; and, as soon as it has acquired a 

 favourable situation, to shoot as vigorously as if 

 just gathered from the plant. Then, as to the 

 second point, the temporary support of the future 

 plant, the matter stands thus. In grain, and pulse, 

 and kernels, and pippins, the germ composes a 

 very small part of the seed. The rest consists of 

 a nutritious substance, from which the sprout 

 draws its aliment for some considerable time after 

 it is put forth ; viz., until the fibres, shot out from 

 the other end of the seed, are able to imbibe 



