216 RUPPIA. [class IV. ORDiR nii 



nature. Its natural habitation, as has already been stated, is that of 

 salt-water ditches, under the influence of the ebbing and flowing of the 

 tides : there is, therefore, in this spiral stem the most admirable proof 

 of design ; for by this beautiful contrivance it relaxes or contracts 

 according as the tides ebb and flow, by which means the flower is ena- 

 bled to support itself above the surface of the water, until its season of 

 flowering be past, when it again descends within its watery element. 



Here may be added with propriety the exquisitely beautiful lines of 

 Sir Richard Blackmore : 



Your contemplation farther yet pursue ; 

 The wondrous world of vegetables view ! 

 Observe the forest oak, the mountain pine, 

 The towering cedar, and the humble vine, 

 The bending willow, that o'ershades the flood, 

 And each spontaneous offspring of the wood ! 

 The oak and pine, which high from earth arise. 

 And wave their lofty heads amidst the skies. 

 Their parent earth in like proportion wound. 

 And through crude metals penetrate the ground ; 

 Their strong and ample roots descend so deep. 

 That fixed and firm, the}- may their station keep, 

 And the fierce shocks of fuiious winds defy. 

 With all the outrage of inclement sky. 

 But the base brier, and noble vine, 

 Their arms around their stronger neighbour twine. 

 The creeping ivy, to prevent its fall, 

 Clings with its fibrous grapples to the wall. 

 Thus are the trees of every kind secure. 

 Or by their own, or by a borrowed power. 

 But every tree from all its branching roots 

 Amidst the glebe, small hollow fibres shoots. 

 Which drink with thirsty mouths the vital juice. 

 And to the limbs and leaves their food diffuse : 

 Peculiar pores peculiar juice receive. 

 To this deny, to that admittance give. 

 — Hence various trees their various fruits produce. 

 Some for delightful taste, and some for use. 

 Hence sprouting plants enrich the plain and wood. 

 For physic some, and some designed for food. 

 Hence fragrant flowers, with different colours dyed. 

 On smiling meads unfold iheir gaudy pride. 

 — Review these numerous scenes, at once survey 

 Nature's extended face, then, sceptics, say, 

 In this wide field of wonders can you find 

 No art discovered, and no end design'd ? 



