380 NATURAL THEOLOGY. 



ground, this is the change which takes place. 

 From one end of the grain issues a green sprout ; 

 from the other, a number of white fibrous threads. 

 How can this be explained? Why not sprouts 

 from both ends? why not fibrous threads from 

 both ends ? To what is the difference to be refer- 

 red, but to design ; to the different uses which 

 the parts are therefore to serve ; uses which 

 discover themselves in the sequel of the process ? 

 The sprout, or plumule, strugges into the air ; and 

 becomes the plant, of which, from the first, it con- 

 tained the rudiments : the fibres shoot into the 

 earth ; and thereby both fix the plant to the 

 ground, and collect nourishment from the soil for 

 its support. Now, what is not a little remarkable, 

 the parts issuing from the seed take their respec- 

 tive directions, into whatever position the seed it- 

 self happens to be cast. If the seed be thrown 

 into the wrongest possible position ; that is, if the 

 ends point in the ground the reverse of what they 

 ought to do, every thing, nevertheless, goes on 

 right. The sprout, after being pushed down a 

 little way, makes a bend, and turns upwards ; the 

 fibres, on the contrary, after shooting at first up- 

 wards, turn down. Of this extraordinary vege- 

 table fact, an account has lately been attempted 

 to be given. "The plumule (it is said) is stimula- 

 ted by the air into action, and elongates itself 

 when it is thus most excited ; the radicle is stim- 

 ulated by moisture, and elongates itself when it 

 is thus most excited. Whence one of these grows 



