PART IV 



LECTURE XXXVIII. 



THE FLOWERING SCASON OF PLANTS. 

 Vernal and Summer Flowers. 



On entering the fourth division of our course, we find before us an 

 open field, freed in a great measure from the technicalities of sci- 

 ence, and presenting a smooth and delightful path. Hitherto, we 

 have been clearing our way through difficulties, and overcoming ob- 

 stacles; first, v/e were obliged to learn to analyze plants according 

 to the strict rules of botanical science ; next to examine the organs 

 of plants, anatomically and physiologically ; we then investigated 

 tlie principles of classification, as exhibited both in the natural and 

 artificial methods, and followed the arrangements of plants as pre- 

 sented in these different methods. 



The language of Botany is now familiar to the diligent student, 

 who can enjoy the pleasant reflection, that by his own industry and 

 application, he has elevated his mind to that state, in which it may, 

 with little further effort, enjo}^ the pleasant views of the vegetable 

 kingdom which now present themselves. Thus, the traveller, hav- 

 ing toiled to gain some acclivity, looks complacently around, enjoy- 

 ing the beautiful view before him in proportion to the efforts made to 

 attain it. 



We will now suppose the dreary season of winter yielding to the 

 gentle influences of spring, and organized nature awakening to new 

 iife and beauty ; — for animals, no less than plants, seem vivifiedand 

 quickened by the returning warmth of this delightful season. How 

 many wandering through life, " with brute, unc<5nscious gaze," have 

 never made the inquiry, "what causes Sj)ring?^^ Vv^ith the greater 

 liart of mankind the ordinary phenomena of nature excite no inter- 

 est ; it is only when something unexpected occurs, that they think, 

 either of first or second causes. But it should be the main object of 

 education to teach youth to reflect, to seek the connexion between 

 cause and effect ; and especially, to look through second causes to 

 the Great Being who is the First Cause of all — " himself uncaused.'''' 



But to return to the question, " what causes Spring V or to state 

 it in another form, by what means does the Almighty produce the 

 changes which this season presents? To answer this, we must re- 

 fer to astronomical geography^ which, pointing out the course of the 

 sun, shows us, that having journeyed to his utmost southern boun- 

 dary, he returns, crosses the equator, and with rapid strides ad- 

 vances towards the northern hemisphere, beaming more directly 

 upon us, and increasing the temperature of the atmosphere ; to che- 

 viislry we owe our knov/ledge of the effects of caloric on bodies; 

 physitj'Ogical botany shows us the sap or vegetable blood expanding 

 by the influence of caloric, and every exhaling and inhaling organ 

 of the plant commencing operations under the same powerful influ- • 

 ence. The earth, released from the icy bonds of frost, turns kindly 

 to the mute, but living children of her bosom, and imparts the ma- 

 ternal nourishment, which, rushing throug];i every fibre of the ve- 

 getable being, invigorates it with health and strength. 



Remarks introductory to the fourth part—What causes spring"? 



