FLOWERLESS PLANTS. 341 
that blooms on the very verge of decay. That these things 
are nevertheless intended to subserve some good purpose is 
not denied; every degree of life is wisely provided for, even 
the worst. This is most manifest from the lowest lichen to 
the highest vegetable structure ; and when mankind observe 
the true equilibrium of order, the race is justly represented 
and designated a microcosm, in which from the highest to 
lowest all things are duly subordinated to an end or use. 
The common Puff Ball (Lycoperdon bovista and pratense) 
requires special notice. When slowly burnt and the fumes 
inhaled it produces intoxication, followed by drowsiness and 
then by perfect insensibility to pain, with loss of speech and 
motion, while one is still conscious of everything that happens 
around— realizing the truth that it is possible for one to lie 
stretched on the funeral bier sensible to weeping friends ; 
aware of the last screw being fixed in the coffin and the last 
clod clapped down upon us in the churchyard, and yet unable 
to move hand or lip for our own deliverance. Experiments 
have recently been made on eats, dogs, and rabbits, and simi- 
lar effects have been found to invariably ensue. And for ages 
it has been used in this manner for stupifying bees, and thus 
robbing their hives with impunity. If the inhalation in 
man, however, be continued too long, vomitiug, convulsions, 
and ultimate death results. 
Much of this lore is still closeted, perhaps, mainly in the 
secret chambers of the past; the fumes of many plants have 
been used as spells, enchantments, and to induce spectre 
seeing, etc., of which we may name some on a proper occa- 
sion. In the order of nature, all auras are adapted to human 
requirements, and under the influence of the last named, 
unlike our artificial chemicals —chloroform and ethers—the 
individual remains conscious all the time. I have myself, as 
well as thousands of others, experienced similar slight trance 
states of rapture, sweetly and softly celestial, and yet most 
of all alive to consciousness, with only a dread less some 
gross vociferous burst from beneath should break the spell ; 
à dread lest some one should speak to you. 
