tinction. It may, however, justly claim a place amongst 
those which Thomson beautifully designates “ the 
lowly children of the shade,” for it is seen in close 
companionship with all the simple blossoms, which so 
profusely adorn our hedgerows and thickets in May 
and June. Paley, who hallowed science by making it 
subserve the cause of religion, and whose constant aim 
it was to point out, to the less enlightened, the good¬ 
ness, skill, and power of the great Creator manifested 
“ in these his lowest works,” singles out the papiliona¬ 
ceous tribe as affording a striking instance of the care 
evinced in the structure of plants, for the perfecting 
of the seed; and, what is part of the same intention, 
the preserving of it until it be perfected. « The parts 
of fructification are enclosed,” says he, “ within a beau¬ 
tiful folding of the internal blossom, sometimes called, 
from its shape, the boat or keel; itself also protected 
under a penthouse formed by the external parts. This 
structure is very artificial, and, what adds to the value 
of it, though it may diminish the curiosity, very ge¬ 
neral. It has also this further advantage (and it is 
an advantage strictly mechanical), that all the blossoms 
turn their backs to the wind, whenever the gale blows 
strong enough to endanger the delicate parts upon 
which the seed depends. It is an aptitude which 
b 2 
