382 NATURAL THEOLOGY. 



stalk, what means could be used more effectual, 

 or, as I have said, more mechanical, than what this 

 structure presents to our eyes ? Why, or how, 

 without a view to this double purpose, do two 

 shoots, of such different and appropriate forms, 

 spring from the same joint, from contiguous points 

 of the same stalk ? It never happens thus in robust 

 plants, or in trees. "We see not," says Ray, "so 

 much as one tree, or shrub, or herb, that hath a 

 firm and strong stem, and that is able to mount up 

 and stand alone without assistSLVice, funiished with 

 these tendrils. ^^ ISIake only so simple a compa- 

 rison as that between a pea and a bean. Why 

 does the pea put forth tendrils, the bean not? but 

 because the stalk of the pea cannot support itself, 

 the stalk of the bean can. We may add also, as 

 a circumstance not to be overlooked, that, in the 

 pea tribe, these clasps do not make their appear- 

 ance till they are wanted — till the plant has 

 grown to a height to stand in need of support. 



This word "support" suggests to us a reflection 

 upon a property of grasses, of corn, and canes. 

 The hollow stems of these classes of plants are set 

 at certain intervals with joints. These joints are 

 not found in the trunks of trees, or in the solid 

 stalks of plants. There may be other uses of these 

 joints ; but the fact is, and it appears to be at least 

 one purpose designed by them, that they corrobo- 

 rate the stem, which by its length and hollo wness 

 would otherwise be too liable to break or bend. 



Grasses are Nature's care. With these she 



