27 



these liumble and lowly bloissoms are nurtured and 

 protected by tlie finger of heaven for the happiness 

 and enjoyment of the entire creation. Our concep- 

 tions are frequently quite limited, and do not enter 

 into the full history of what our science presents, and 

 without a due regard to a more general knowledge, our 

 enlightenment will be very superficial. There are 

 many plants that it is their peculiar history that con- 

 tain and furnish the most attractive interest. We ad- 

 mire the pitcher jilant, not so much for its beauty, but 

 for the wisdom of its architectural design. The fur- 

 ther we trace its history, the more our- curiosity is 

 awakened by its novelty. We see the pitchers, and 

 they appear rather out of place as they hang suspend- 

 ed from the boughs, but as we trace and become inter- 

 ested in its history, we find that it is the native of a 

 climate passing through changes of extreme humidity 

 to extreme drouth, and that the receptacles become 

 filled during one season to sustain it during ano- 

 tlicr. With the increased intelligence, we become 

 more deeply interested in our research, and our 

 thoughts become not only fixed on the plant, but are 

 led forward to the contemplation of a much higher 

 source — Nature's great author and his governing laws. 

 Man}- will recollect the magnificent helitrope exhibi- 

 ted at our fall exhibition. It stood three feet high, 

 its head presenting one beautiful mass of flowers and 

 perfume. As well as the manner in which it was so 

 happily referred to by the Rev. Dr. Farley, as well as 

 many other most beautiful allusions, which the speci- 



