68 VOICES FROM THE WOODLANDS. 



sorbed from the earth, and raised, by an inexplicable pro- 

 cess, to the topmost boughs of some vast vegetable column, 

 becoming diffused through the smallest twigs, and either 

 in the leaves, or bark, or flowers, preparing nutritious 

 fruits, or else secretions beneficial to mankind ; imparting, 

 in its progress, greenness to each leaf, or beauty to each 

 blossom, and causing even the smallest leaf that shines and 

 quivers in the sunbeams, to become an organ of respiration 

 to the parent tree ; absorbing air, and purifying even the most 

 obnoxious, and then breathing it forth again in a state fit 

 for respiration. Wondrous, too, is the apparatus by which 

 this threefold purpose is effected, and most curious is the 

 mechanism that sustains each leaf in its right place, pre- 

 senting its upper surface to the influence of air and light, 

 and causing that gentle quivering in every breath of wind, 

 and exquisite variety of mingling hues, which heightens the 

 beauty of woodland scenery. 



The prism has many sides, and the rainbow its many 

 colours. All natural objects have their numerous asso- 



