ON VEGETABLE PHYSIOLOGY. 81 



membranous wing, and a third again are in them- 

 selves so light, that each of them float in the air 

 and are carried in its current whichever way the 

 wind may blow. 



A last means adopted by nature for the dis- 

 persion of seeds, is the action of streams, rivers, 

 and the currents of the 'ocean. " The mountain 

 stream or torrent washes down the valley the 

 seeds which may accidentally fall in it, or which 

 may happen to be forced from its banks when it 

 suddenly overflows them. The broad and ma- 

 jestic rivers, winding along the extensive plains 

 and traversing the continents of the world, con- 

 vey to the distance of many hundred miles, the 

 seed that may have vegetated at their sources ; 

 while by the currents of the ocean, fruits and 

 seeds, indigenous to America, have been depo- 

 sited upon the western shores of Europe." 



Thus nature, by means the most comprehen- 

 sive, yet upon principles the most simple and 

 intelligible, provides for the completion of all her 

 works ; and the more we examine her attributes, 

 the greater proofs we obtain of the usefulness 

 and ends for which her powers have been called 

 into action. 



Having explained to you the ingenious means 

 employed by this omnipotent agent to distribute 

 the rudiments of those productions that constitute 

 the vegetable kingdom, we come now to the pro- 

 cess by which they are called into vital action, 



G 



