136 VOICES FROM THE WOODLANDS. 



perfecting the seed or kernel by means of vessels passing 

 through the stone; but when the kernel is fully grown, 

 and the shelly substance becomes hard, the vessels cease 

 their functions. But the enclosing pulp has still another 

 purpose to fulfil ; it was previously designed merely to 

 perfect the kernel; when that purpose is effected, 

 the pulp receives and retains the whole of the sun's in- 

 fluence, and becomes a grateful food to man. The stone, 

 either planted by his hand, or falling ungathered from 

 the tree, sinks into the earth beneath, where it will 

 remain until an appointed season; and then, emerging 

 from the earth, complete in all its parts, it gradually 

 becomes a tree. 



All this is familiar. to the mind. It is a fact that meets 

 us at every turn, whether among shrubs or forest trees, or 

 such as yield fruit or flowers. It is connected with re- 

 searches which science has gradually led onward to their 

 full development ; and hence, the emerging of a plant from 

 out the ground, the circulation of the sap, and the produc- 



