the minds of our younger readers, and thereby awa- 
ken attention, not alone to the beauties, but to the 
wonders, of vegetable forms and purposes, which are 
so continually before our eyes. We are happy to 
have been a humble labourer in that field w hich the 
late Earl of Bridgewater so piously desired should be 
cultivated — a field that shall clearly demonstrate 
“The Power, Wisdom, and Goodness, of God, as 
manifested in the creation.” 
Evidences of design and wisdom strike the mind 
of the observer at every step he takes in this beau- 
tiful field of nature ; and the ingenious contrivan- 
ces for the dispersion of seeds stand not last in the 
convincing catalogue. Instances of this occur in 
the commonest plants. The globular head of down 
displayed by the dandelion is universally known ; 
but let it be examined — its delicate structure duly 
estimated — and its utility understood. Its seed is 
surmounted by a capillary stipe or pillar, which 
bears on its extremity, a star of down, so buoyant 
that it rides through the air as a miniature bal- 
loon; wafting its little car, with the embryo plant, 
to a distant spot, which it may colonize, and there 
propagate its species. The thistle has its dow n at- 
tached to the seed without the intervention of the 
pillar. Some seeds have a simple dilated membra- 
nous wing, as in the fir. Others are crowned with 
a single feather, or numerous feathers, or a membra- 
nous parachute; each, however, having the same 
object in view'. These contrivances are highly cu- 
rious, and each alone displays wisdom and care in 
the preservation of the w orks which have come per- 
fected from the hand of our all-wise Creator. 
Sweet’s Flo. Gar. 246. 
