246 LETTER XXI. 



which the stamens are separated from the pistils in 

 different flowers on the same plant; we invariably 

 find that the stamens are placed on the uppermost 

 parts of the branch above the pistils, an arrange- 

 ment which is no doubt provided, to facilitate the 

 scattering of their pollen upon the stigmas. If they 

 were placed below the pistils, it would be much more 

 difficult for the pollen to reach the stigma, and con- 

 sequently, the great end of the creation of the stamens 

 would be almost frustrated. We find, however, that 

 every thing is foreseen, and provided for by Provi- 

 dence, with the same care in these little plants, as in 

 the most exalted and perfect of the works of nature ; 

 and that even so apparently useless and insignificant 

 a weed as the Bur-reed, contains the most convinc- 

 ing evidence of the worthlessness of the opinions of 

 those who, denying the existence of the Deity, would 

 have the world believe that living things are the 

 mere result of a fortuitous concourse of atoms, at- 

 tracting and repelling each other with different degrees 

 of force. 



If we open one of the yellow balls, we find it con- 

 sists of a great number of separate flowers, each of 

 which has a calyx of three long-stalked jagged sepals 

 {fig. 2. a. a. a.), and six wedge-shaped anthers, which 

 are heavier than the little slender filaments can well 

 support. 



In the structure of their calyx, the flowers of the 

 green heads do not materially differ from the latter 

 {fig. 3.), the sepals are three in number, but broader 

 and shorter, rolled round the pistil, and seated close 



