with a long and slender member, which permits them to lap the water, through comparatively a narrow aperture. And as the claws of birds enable them to retain a firm hold on branches, when even rudely shaken by the wind; and the feet of insects are so formed as to grasp the smoothest stems; many little animals have likewise feet well adapted for climbing. The field mouse, for instance, which can run up a stack of corn; and all swift moving, and defenceless quadrupeds are thus constructed. The digging foot which is assigned to the mole, or one resembling an horse's hoof, would be useless in ascending slippery places. The pitcher at each leaf-stalk has also a twofold purpose; it refreshes the parent plant, and holds forth an open goblet to many a poor thirsty way-faring creature. A few would not suffice either to the plant or its visitors, as I before observed, and, therefore, every leaf is similarly provided: nor is it less worthy of remark, that if the fibrous hinge contracted only in heavy rain, such birds, and quadrupeds, and insects as fly or walk by night, would not be able to quench their thirst; but dew equally affects it; therefore it is for them also that the nightly goblet is thus bountifully replenished. And how multifarious are its uses, whether filled by rain or dew! Without the moisture which it thus retains, the beautiful green colour that adorns the plant would fade; the flower could not open, the seeds could not ripen, such creatures as subsist on the sweet nectarious juices of its open flowers would lose their daily banquet, and numerous small birds and quadrupeds must drag on a miserable existence, if, indeed, they could exist at all. These wants are admirably supplied, and who does not acknowledge, in the pitcher-plant of Java, the same beneficence which was assigned as one reason for sparing Nineveh, that it contained much cattle?—

"Which charg'd the Jew
T'assist his foe's down-fallen beast to rise;
And when the bush-exploring boy, that seiz'a
The young, to let the parent bird go free,
Prov'd he not plainly that his meaner works
Are yet his care, and have an interest all,
All in the universal Father's love."

COWPER.

Place the pitcher plant beside our running streams, and it would seem to have been made in vain; cause those streamlets to break forth in its place of growth, and the pitcher plant, with all its exquisite contrivances, would be unnecessary. Surely the whole earth is filled with the goodness of Jehovah; and O, that men would praise him for the proofs of wisdom, and beneficence, which are thus scattered abroad!

The Ledum Palustre of Labrador, also, affords a striking instance of the same beautiful economy. The leaves are spoon-shaped, and inverted with the concave side turned towards heaven; consequently, when it rains they are filled with water, and afford a liberal supply to birds and winged insects. The refreshment of the plant, and the support of such thirsty creatures as dwell, or fly in its vicinity, seem to comprise the twofold purpose, for which the spoon-shaped leaves are designed. The pitchershaped bag answers the same end, but by complicated means; and care is evidently taken to retain a larger share of fluid for the nourishment of the plant. A botanist, therefore, who knew nothing of Japan, and had never visited Labrador, might safely infer from the construction of the plants, that the nature of their soil and climate was widely different; that in one, water was more scarce than in the other; and that, consequently, birds of desultory flight, and small tender-footed quadrupeds, found it

C

more difficult to quench their thirst in Japan than Labrador.

And here let me pause for a moment to observe, that the acquisition of science opens a continual source of delight to the well-conducted mind. He, who knows nothing of the wonders that surround him, may be charmed with the beauty, or the fragrance of a flower, but he cannot comprehend the secret delight, that springs within the breast of one, who regards the whole with a botanic eye who can look upon a flower, and understand the admirable fitness of its parts, who knows something of its exquisite mechanism; by what secret tubes the plant is nourished; in what way the sap ascends, and why it is that the leaf or flowers turn towards the light! Take, for instance, the red currant, which grows in every cottage garden. It is a pleasing shrub, much to be admired for the light green of its elegant leaf, its pendant flower, and graceful fruit. The botanist sees all this; but he sees something more, which may well fill his heart with gratitude, and teach him that science is the gift of God, and should be devoted solely to his glory. The botanist knows that the insertion of the stamina into the calyx, as in the class icosandria, indicates a wholesome fruit; but that the fruits of the class pentandria monogynia, to which the currant belongs, are dangerous; and many of them fatal. Yet the currant is an exception, and this is indicated by the insertion of its stamina, in which, though not in their number, it accords with the icosandria. By attending to this simple fact, a traveller, in an unknown country, may safely eat its native fruits.

But to return from this digression. As the need increases, so do the means to supply that need. The burning sands of Africa exhibit a large tree, called by the