OF NATURAL HISTORY. 309 



all the vicifiitudes of the annuals. They every year increafe in 

 magnitude, fend forth new leaves and branches, ripen and diflemi- 

 nate their feeds, and, during winter, remain in a torpid ftate, or fuf- 

 fer a temporary death. Thefe annual changes in trees, &c. have 

 fome refembiance to thofe of animals which produce at certain ftated 

 feafons only. 



The diftribution of life to an immenfity of fucceffive individuals 

 feems to be another intention of Nature in changing forms, and in 

 the difTolution of her produdtions. Were the exiftence of indivi- 

 duals perpetual, or were it prolonged for ten times the periods now 

 eftabliflied, life would be denied to myriads of animated beings> who 

 enjoy their prefent limited portion of happinefs. 



G H A P. 



