BOTANY FOR YOUNG PEOPLE. 43 



An author speaking of the Holly, says that the 

 economy of trees, plants, and vegetables, is a 

 curious subject of inquiry, and in all of them 

 we may trace the hand of a beneficent Creator. 

 The same care that he has bestowed on his 

 creatures, he has extended to hollies : the edges 

 of the leaves are provided with strong sharp 

 spines as high up as they are within the reach 

 of cattle; above that height the leaves are 

 smooth, the protecting spines being no longer 

 necessary. 



L. I remember reading some poetry on the 

 Holly, by Southey the English poet : shall I get 

 the book and read it to you ? 



E. If you please,. Laura. 



L. Oh reader ! hast thou ever stood to see 



The Holly tree, 

 The eye that contemplates it will perceive 



Its glossy leaves ; 

 Ordered by an intelligence so wise, 

 As might confound the Atheist's sophistries. 



Below a circling fence its leaves are seen 



Wrinkled and keen ; 

 No grazing cattle through their prickly round 



Can reach to wound ; 

 But as they grow where nothing is to fear, 

 Smooth and unarmed the pointless leaves nppenr. 



