moves through the heavens, or, more frequently, casts its look directly upwards, that it may receive his vivifying rays from whatever quarter he shines. In the evening, or in rain, or even sometimes when the sun is obscured by clouds, if the parts it guards are so delicate as to be injured by the cold or wet, it carefully shuts its petals, to open them again whenever the cause of alarm is removed ;* in all these operations exhibiting a very interesting proof of care in the Creator. With regard to the reproductive organs, themselves, the same care is displayed. By a series of very striking contrivances, differing materially in different kinds, and, in all these varieties, affording new proofs of Designing Wisdom, the continuance of the species is secured, while individuals perish; and thus the principle which pervades all organized existences, of alternate decay and revival, is provided for. The male organ has obtained the name of stamen, that of the female the name of pistil.† Botanists are now generally agreed as to the real nature and extent of the offices which the stamens and pistils are destined to perform in the economy of Nature. Linnæus has the distinguished merit of having clearly and satisfactorily established that they are organs essential to the perfection of the fruit. The proofs adduced in favor of this opinion are highly satisfactory. Every one must have observed that the flowers precede the fruit, and this holds true throughout the whole classes of plants. Now, all flowers are furnished with both stamens and pistils, either in the same individuals, or in two distinct * During the annular eclipse of the sun, May 15, 1836, which happened not long after mid-day, while that luminary was shining in full power, flowers were observed to shut their leaves, and some of them reopened when the eclipse was over. The following is a more particular account of the organs of reproduction. The germ is lodged in a vessel called the ovary, or seed-vessel. From its summit rises a little threadlike stalk, called a style, which, at its extremity, supports a small spongy substance, denominated the stigThese three form a whole, which bears the name of pistil. Immediately surrounding the pistils are situated the stamens, each of which consists of a slender filament, supporting a little bag or case, called an anther, filled with pollen, which is a species of dust or powder. The anthers, when ripe, burst, and shed their pollen upon the stigma. ma. individuals of the same species. This fact has been ascertained in the most minute examples, even in mosses, which were long supposed anomalous. Ferns form the only apparent exception; and it is highly probable, from general analogy, that these parts, though still concealed, have existence in that order. The last function of flowers which I shall notice, relates to their use to the insect tribes. The nectaries of flowers seem to be intended by Providence for the secretion of honey, that wellknown and delicious substance, which forms the food of the bee and numerous other insects. From the position of this organ at the bottom of the corolla, it is not easy of access, and would indeed frequently be altogether inaccessible, had not the same Divine Hand which laid up the precious store for them, furnished them with peculiar instruments, with which, after finding their way to the bottom of the deep cup, they can pump up their food,-another pleasing instance of adaptation between the animal and vegetable worlds. A pious acquaintance, remarkable for the quaint shrewdness of his observations, one day, having pulled a primrose from a hedge side, after expressing his admiration of its simple beauties, took up a clod in his other hand, and naïvely, but emphatically, exclaimed, "What, but Almighty Power, could extract that from this ?" If there was any thing ludicrous in the manner, there was nothing but truth and sublimity in the sentiment. Every thing in the operations of the Creator is worthy of devout admiration; but I scarcely know any thing in the inanimate world, which brings together and concentrates so many wonders of designing wisdom and benevolence, as the structure and qualities of a flower;-and assuredly not a little is added to the surprise and pious feeling with which this delightful production is contemplated, when we think of the crude materials from which it is elaborated. The beauty of form and color; the sweetness of the fragrance; the delicate and skilful nature of the organization; the careful provisions, the forethought, the contrivance, the suiting of parts, as regards the continuance of the species; the adaptations to the subsist ence and enjoyment of the insect tribes,-all produced by the artificial union of a few simple and apparently unfit substances, cannot fail to excite in the reflecting mind the most lively sentiments of astonishment, and to force upon it the conviction, that here, without doubt, is the finger of God. THIRD WEEK-THURSDAY. THE VIOLET. To attempt to particularize the various beauties of that profusion of flowers which Spring scatters around us, would be altogether inconsistent with the nature of the task I have assigned myself. An individual instance. must suffice, and with that, a friend, to whom I am indebted for several other interesting papers, has been kind enough to supply me. All who delight in finding a beauty and a meaning even in the wildest flowers, must have often hailed with the liveliest pleasure that flower of flowers, the exquisitelyformed and scented violet. By the dusty wayside, by the green border of the brook, or on the sequestered woodland bank, this universal favorite gives its delicate blossoms to the breeze, recumbent on a mossy bed, or modestly peeping forth from the rank herbage and weeds. As it is a creeping plant, and throws out runners, which take root in the soil, and form new stems, it is most commonly met with in beds that make the whole bank or mound odorous and beautiful. Sometimes, however,. we find, by the retired footpath, or on the lonely hillside, a solitary flower, blooming unseen, the survivor, perhaps, of its fragrant compeers, or the forerunner of a numerous progeny. Then occur the beautiful lines of the poet : "A violet by a mossy stone, Half hid from human eyes; Clear as a star, when only one The stalks of the wild sweet violet are round, of a green color, and creep along the surface of the ground, seldom becoming erect. The leaves are also green, and rather large for the size of the plant. They are shaped like a heart, are slightly indented round the edges, and usually hang down in a drooping posture. The flower consists of five petals or leaves, and presents, in various mixtures, every variety of yellow and blue. A delicate purplish tinge, which it sometimes assumes, adds greatly to its beauty and richness. Four of the floral leaves are disposed in the form of an oblong, the fifth projecting from one of the longer sides, in the direction of the ground. The whole flower is defended by a five-leaved calyx, or cup, and hangs down from the gracefully bent stem, a perfect emblem of modest loveliness. We all admire the beauty of the violet, and delight in its perfume. We are also familiar with its praises, and with its moral and poetical associations. But, while we feel and own the poetry of the flower, have we ever reflected on the admirable specimens of Creative Intelligence which it furnishes, and the numerous beneficial purposes to which it is subservient? Let us attend to the mode in which its seed is protected and spontaneously sown. This seed is formed in a capsule, or seed-vessel, with three valves, each containing about an equal number of the tender germs. During the process of ripening, the seed-vessel hangs in a perpendicular position, and is defended from any excess of moisture by the natural umbrella of the calyx. When the seed is nearly ripe, the containing vessel shrivels and begins to open, and, from the shrinking and consequent erection of the stem, the whole apparatus gradually assumes an upright position, in which the capsule, instead of being shielded by the calyx, is supported by it. But why, it may be asked, should not the seed fall at once from the opening vessel without being elevated to an upright and higher position, where its timely dispersion appears to be a matter of greater difficulty? Let us not judge hastily, but inquire further into this interesting subject. From the gradual evaporation of moisture, the sides of the valves shrink and roll up, and the sharp edges of each, at this stage, pressing upon the contained seeds, bring them, though previously arranged in a very irregular manner, into nearly a straight line. Each seed is of an oblong shape, and is hard, smooth, and shining; and hence, when the infolding edge of the shrivelling valve presses upon it, and slides down behind it, the pressure throws it out with a jerk to a distance proportioned to its elevation above the ground. Now may we see the reason why, previous to the scattering of the capsule's contents, that vessel is considerably elevated, as by a mechanical agency contrived for the purpose. The seeds, projected from an increased elevation, are dispersed through a wider circuit, and thereby more effectually fulfil the object of their formation. With such wonderful skill is the mechanism of a single flower constructed, and with such admirable precision does it accomplish all its purposes. Thus, also, do flowers not only charm the eye, and inspire poetic emotion, but, marvellously contrived, as well as clothed with beauty and perfume, they furnish the understanding with objects worthy of its highest powers. Their structure displays the infinite skill, no less than their outward attractions, the benevolence, of the Creator. Surely the knowledge of those arrangements, by which the seed of the violet is perfected and dispersed to most advantage, must greatly enhance its matchless sweets in the eyes of every intelligent lover of Nature. The violet is not without its utility in the economy of the natural world. That a thing exists, is sufficient of itself to prove to every pious and philosophic mind that it is useful; but in the case of this much-observed flower, we can easily show a few of its specific uses. The caterpillars of several species of butterflies, feed exclusively upon its stalks and leaves during summer; and caterpillars, destructive though they be, and often fatal in their ravages, are yet subservient to the wise purposes of preventing the excessive propagation of certain plants, and of feeding numerous tribes of birds. In winter, the stalks afford a secure deposit for the grub of a gall-fly, the insect that produces the oak-galls, so valuable in com |