82 THE MECHANICAL FUNCTIONS. 



alburnum. Nothing can exceed the elegance of 

 those forms which are presented in every part of 

 the vegetable kingdom, whether they be consi- 

 dered with reference to their direct utility for the 

 support of individual life, and the continuance 

 of the species, or whether they be viewed as 

 component parts of that beauty which is spread 

 over the scenery of nature, and is so delightfully 

 refreshing to the eye of every beholder alive 

 to its fascinating charms. How enchanting are 

 all the varieties of flowers, that decorate in 

 gay profusion every part of the garden of 

 creation ; and into which the farther we carry 

 our philosophic scrutiny, the more forcibly will 

 our hearts be impressed with the truth of the 

 divine appeal that " Even Solomon in all his 



GLORY WAS NOT ARRAYED LIKE ONE OF THESE." 



§ .3. Developement of Vegetables . 



Farther proofs of design may be collected from 

 an examination into the modes in which these 

 structures, so admirably adapted to their objects, 

 have been gradually formed. Confining our 

 attention to vascular plants, in which the pro- 

 cess of developement has been studied with the 

 greatest attention and success, we find that 

 Nature has pursued two different plans in 



