herbaceous order; and how wisely has this been ordered for the various purposes for which they were created; with the firmness of trees, to what a prickly stubble must Nature's soft and downy carpet have given way? with the tenacity of shrubs, how would it have answered as food for our cattle?

There are, besides, a number of other properties and peculiarities in the vegetable kingdom, in which the wonderful working of Divinity shines pre-emi nent. How strange, for instance, that if a seed is sown in a reversed position, the young root turns of itself downwards, while the stem refuses to sink deeper in the soil, and bends itself round to shoot up through the surface of the earth. How surprising, that when the roots of a tree or plant meet with a stone or other interruption in their progress underground, they change their direction and avoid it. How amazing, that the numerous shoots which branch out from the root in quest of moisture, pursue as it were by instinct the tract that leads to it; will turn from a barren to a more fertile soil; and, that plants shut up in a darksome room, bend or creep to any aperture through which the rays of light may be admitted.

In these respects the vegetable tribes may be said to possess something analogous to animal life; but here the resemblance does not drop-how surprising the phenomenon of what is called the sleep of plants, and the sexual system of Linnæus, founded on the discovery that there exists in the vegetable, as well as in the animal kingdom, a distinction of sexes!

What amazing variety of size, of shape, and hue, do we discover among this multitudinous order of things! What different properties do some possess from others! and what a near approach do a few make to that superior order immediately above them, in the scale of existence! The Sensitive plant, when slightly touched, evinces something like the timidity of our harmless animals; the Hedysarum Gyrans, or moving plant of the East, exhibits an incessant and spontaneous movement of its leaves during the day, in warm and clear weather; but in the night season, and in the absence of light and heat, its motions cease, and it remains, as it were, in a state of quiescence; and the American Venus' Flytrap, like an animal of prey, seems to lie in wait to catch the unwary insect. These are wonderful properties of the vegetable creation, but these are necessary in the infinitude of the works of creation, as links to connect it with the order of animals, and preserve unbroken the most minute gradations in Nature's universal chain!

Flowers are undoubtedly among the most exquisite pieces of nature's workmanship. What beautiful tints do they display! what lively colours do they unfold! what variegated beauties do they discover! and what delightful perfumes do they emit! In view of these well might the poet exclaim:

"Who can paint

Like Nature? Can imagination boast
Amid its gay creation, hues like hers?
Or can it mix them with that matchless skill,

And lose them in each other, as appears

In every bud that blows?”

But we have no less to admire in the general contrivance and delicate structure of their several parts, and beautiful harmony of the whole, than in the laying on of the colours by which they are embellished.

The diversity of shape, and form, and complexion, in those of different kinds, is not more remarkable than that no two are to be found exactly alike, even of the same species, and growing on the same stalk or knot.

Nor should the aromatic fragrance which those beautiful sons and daughters of nature send forth, more excite our gratitude, than that well ordered succession, by which the pleasures we receive from these transitory visitants, are lengthened out and protracted all the year round.

Before winter with his cloudy front has taken his departure, the early Snow drop boldly steps forth in his pure white robe, the Crocus next, with an air of timidity peeps out, and, as if afraid to venture, keeps close to the earth; then comes the Violet with her varied beauties, accompanied by the sparkling Polyanthus, and splendid Auricula; afterwards groves of Tulips display their rich and gaudy attire, followed by the Anemone in her spreading robe.Now the Ranuncules expands the richness of his foliage, the Sun-Flower shoots forth his golden rays, and the beautiful Carnation with a numerous train bring up the rear, and close the procession.

The Use of Vegetables.

Trees. Those stupendous specimens of creating art spread not their wide extended roots, nor lift their lofty heads in vain. Beneath their cooling shades, our flocks and herds find a comfortable asylum from the scorching rays of the summer sun; the wild stragglers of the forest have a place of refuge among their woods and thickets; whilst the feathery songsters of the grove build their little dwellings in security, and sing among their branches; as for the stork, the fir trees are her house."

But in what a variety of respects, besides affording the inhabitants of warm climates an agreeable shelter from the mid-day heat, do they yield their services, or are made subservient to the use of man. Some, as the bread fruit tree of the Pacific Ocean, the cabbage tree of East Florida, the tea tree of China, the sugarmaple tree of America, the coffee tree and sugar cane in the West Indies, and the numerous luxurious fruit bearing trees scattered over the face of the globe, contribute to our wants in form of food. The fountain tree on one of the Canary Islands, is said by voyagers to furnish the inhabitants with a supply of water; while the paper-mulberry tree of the Southern ocean, and the cotton shrub of America, provide us with materials for clothing. The candle-berry myrtle presents the inhabitants of Nankeen with a substitute for animal tallow. The salt tree of Chili yields a daily supply of fine salt. The cinnamon, nutmeg, clove, and pimento, furnish

us with a supply of spices. The Jesuit's bark, manna, senna, and others, produce a variety of simple but useful medicines. Some trees yield a precious balsam for the healing of nations; some a quantity of turpentine and rosin, and others give out their quota of valuable oils and gums.

Nor are trees serviceable only in a natural state: by the assistance of art, some are converted into houses to protect man from the inclemency of the weather, or are moulded into a variety of forms for the purposes of building, and domestic comfort; others raise the huge fabric of the floating castle or bulky merchantman, by which the articles of industry and commerce are transported, and a communication kept up with the remotest regions.

Our limits do not permit us to enlarge upon these specimens, or point out the various uses to which a number of other woods in general use may be applied; but the reader's own thoughts may suggest these, as they are sufficiently obvious: and mean time we will proceed to the order of

Shrubs. As much that has been already said respecting the utility of trees, may be applied in common to this order, we will confine ourselves to the three particulars in which they may be said to differ most from the former; the first is their stature, the second their greater pliability, and the third the prickly armour by which many of them are covered.

Some shrubs, as the gooseberry, the rasp, and the currant bushes, so common in our gardens, gratify the palate, and temper the blood during the summer