earth, which would not have been possible, if it had filled a less space. The sea, then, has been made a general reservoir of the waters, in order that the heat of the sun should draw vapours from it, which afterwards fall in rain, or, when they gather at the tops of mountains, become sources of rivers. If the extent of the sea was more confined, there would be many more deserts and barren countries, because there would fall less rain, and there would be fewer rivers. What would become of the advantages which result from com. merce, if that great heap of water did not exist? God did not design that one part of the globe should be totally independent of the other. On the contrary, he designed that there should be intercourse among all the people of the earth. It was for that purpose he intermixed it with seas, in order to open a communication between those at the greatest distance from each other. How could we bring over our riches and treasures, if we had no other means but horses and carriages? How could commerce go on, if navigation did not open unto us the easiest way: in this division of water and land on our globe, I can see a new proof of the wisdom and goodness of the Creator. However distant I may be from the sea, I daily experience the happy effects of it.

Oh! why are we not still more grateful to God for this blessing! The knowledge of his adorable attributes, which the earth and seas impresɛ upon us, ought it not to excite us to glorify his holy Name? Yes, Lord, my heart is disposed to ren.. der the thanks due unto Thee; assist me, by thy Holy Spirit, that my gratitude may be acceptable to Thee. Perhaps I am not as sensible of this blessing as I ought. Other people, possibly, feel the value of it more than I do. But, were not any people to remember thy mercies, the sea itself would bear testimony of thy power, and be

the herald of thy wondrous goodness: for all thy creatures, the sea, the earth, and all its inhabitants, celebrate thy praise.

MARCH XIII.

The Difference between Animals and Plants.

THE difference between animals and plants is so great, and so visible, that it requires but a very slight observation to be convinced of it. Undoubt edly, one remarkable difference consists in the animals having the faculty of moving and changing place, a faculty of which the vegetables are totally deprived. A much more essential differ. ence is the faculty of feeling, which caunot be denied to animals, while it cannot be granted to plants. To this must be added, the manner of being nourished, which is still another distinction between them. Animals, by means of exterior organs, are capable of choosing their proper food; plants, on the contrary, are obliged to take what nourishment the earth affords, without any choice. This is given them from the moisture of the earth, and by the action of the veins in the leaves, which pump and draw in the nourishing juices with which the air is filled. The number of species is much greater in the animal than in the vegetable kingdom. In the insects alone there may, perhaps, be a greater number of classes (taking in those which can only be seen with a microscope) than there are of visible plants on the surface of the globe; neither have the animals such conformity with each other as the plants have, whose resemblance makes it difficult to class them. Another circumstance, which marks the difference between the two kingdoms, is the manner in which they propagate, very distinct from each other, notwithstanding the accidental similarity

found between them. Who can avoid observing another remarkable difference, as to the place where they live? The earth is the only place where plants can grow and multiply; most of them rise above its surface, and are fastened to the soil by roots more or less strong. Others are entirely under ground. A small number grow in the water; but, in order to live, it is necessary they should take root in the earth. Animals, on the contrary, are less limited in place. An innumerable multitude people the surface and the interiof parts of the earth, Some inhabit the bottom of the sea. Others live in the waters, at a considerable depth. Many live in the air, in vegetables, in the bodies of men and animals, in fluid matter, and also in stones. If we consider animals and plants, in respect to size, we shall find still a striking difference. Between the size of a whale and that of a mite, the distinction is much greater than between the highest oak and a bit of moss. Lastly, it is particularly in the form of animals and plants, that the general and most striking difference subsists. Most of the latter have, in that respect, so distinct a character, that it is impossible to confound them with vegetables. However, let us not imagine we have perfectly discovered the limits which divide the animal from the vegetable kingdom, or that we have found out all that distinguishes them. Nature, to diversify her works, makes use of almost imperceptible shades. In the chain of beings, perfection increases successively, and rises by millions of degrees, so that a more perfect species differs very little from that which preceded it. How narrow are the bounds which separate the plant from the animal! There are plants which appear sensible, and animals which seem deprived of sensation. Nothing proves this better than the discoveries made in coral. Formerly it was supposed that corals were sea plants, but now

there are strong reasons for placing them among animals; for, what was then taken for a flower, has proved to be really an animal. Thus every order of creatures rises insensibly to perfection, by numberless degrees. The more observations are made, the more reason is there to be convinc. ed that it is impossible to fix the exact limits of the three kingdoms, the mineral, the vegetable, and animal; and that amongst most creatures there is more conformity than dissimilarity. It is at least certain, that the limits which divide the most perfect creatures, from those that are a degree less so, become at last imperceptible to understandings so limited as ours. These observations ought to convince us that the world, with all the crea tures it contains, is the work of an infinite Being. So much harmony and such differences, so much variety with so much uniformity, can only pro ceed from the Almighty, omniscient, and perfect Being, who created the universe, and all that is in it. Let our hearts rise towards him. Let us go from the stone to the plant, from the plant to the brute, from the brute to man, and from man to the heavenly spirits; then take our flight towards the everlasting, incommensurable Being, the Creator of the world, the Preserver of plants, the Protector of animals, the Father of mankind, the King of spirits.-Measure, if possible, measure his greatness, and try to sound the depths of his wisdom. Thrice holy God! created beings are too weak to know thy works. They are immense and to tell them all, would be to be infinite like Thee. Therefore, the less capable we are of conceiving how far the wisdom of God extends, the more we ought to reflect on his greatness! and, above all, to imitate his goodness as much as is in our power. We see that no creature is deprived of the merciful care of the Lord. It is extended to the stone and the plant, as well as to men and animals. In his sight (in some

respects) there is no distinction: his mercy is over all his works. Let us, in this also, endeavour to imitate our Maker. We fill, it is true, a distinguished rank among created beings; but let us take care not to be cruel or tyrannical towards creatures who appear to be inferior to us. Let us rather endeavour to enjoy, with gratitude and moderation, all those designed by God for our use.

MARCH XIV.

The Uniformity and Variety in the Works of
Nature.

THE sky over our heads, and the earth under our feet, remain always the same, from age to age; and yet they afford us, now and then, spec. tacles as varied as they are magnificent. Sometimes the sky is covered with clouds, sometimes serene, sometimes blue, and sometimes of differ ent colours. The darkness of night, and the light of noon day, the dazzling light of the sun, and the paler light of the moon, succeed each other regularly. The immeasurable space of the hea vens appears sometimes a desert, and sometimes strewed with an infinite number of stars. To how many changes and revolutions also is our earth. subject? For some months uniform, and without ornaments, the severity of the winter robbed it of its beauty; the spring renews its youth; summer will shew it still more rich and beautiful; and, in some months after, autumn will pour upon us every sort of fruit. What variety, also on our globe between one country and another! Here, a flat level country presents us plains be yond the limits of sight; there, high mountains rise crowned with forests; at their feet fertile val leys are watered with brooks and rivers. Here gulphs and precipices; there still lakes; and, far.