summer.

negroes Boa. The trunk of this is a natural reservoir for water during the rainy months, and being shaded with thick foliage, continues fresh and cool during the heat of Travellers are often saved by the knowledge of this extraordinary fact, from perishing with thirst in crossing those sultry deserts, where, during six long months, not a single shower refreshes the parched earth. Vegetable fountains also rise on the arid rocks of the Antilles. They are called Water Liannes, and are so full of sap, that if a single branch is cut, a quantity of pure liquor immediately exudes.

How wonderful is the Raining-tree of the Canaries, which affords a regular supply of water to an island which is destitute of so great a blessing. A mist arises every morning from the sea, which rests on the thick leaves, and widely-spreading branches of a kind of laurel, and then distils in drops during the remainder of the day, till it is at length exhausted. The peculiar situation of the tree enables it more readily to attract the mist; for it springs from a rock, at the termination of a long and narrow valley. This interesting tree is an evergreen, of considerable size. The water which distills from it, furnishes every family in its vicinity, with what is sufficient for domestic purposes, and persons are appointed by the Council to distribute the necessary supplies.

Observe, too, the peculiar character of the swamps, that extend along the bay of Campeachy. The name swamp seems to indicate the presence of water, and this is correct, during the winter months; but when the heat of summer is set in, the swamps dry up, and no running stream is heard throughout the vast extent of their almost interminable forests. Yet these forests must be traversed during the hot months, and those who traverse them often

lose their way, and would perish were they not provided with living fountains in that hot land. A peculiar kind of fungus, called the pine-apple fungus, from its resemblance to that fruit, grows profusely on the trunks and branches of a native fir. These fungi are so full of sap, that, on being cut with a knife, nearly a pint of clear and wholesome juice immediately flows out. We may infer that the animals and birds, which frequent these deep forests, are instructed to avail themselves of the valuable supply, for every created thing serves at least a twofold purpose it ministers either directly or indirectly to the wants of man, and answers many important ends, in the great economy of nature.

But it is not for man alone that vegetable fountains rise in arid places. We must again refer to the wonderful provision, that is made for the many living creatures, which are called into being, and which are not suffered to perish with thirst in their wilderness-abodes. Carry your eye, my reader, towards the sultry deserts of Africa, where no cool breezes refresh the weary traveller, and no sound of running water is heard, where the heavens are unclouded, and the sun blazes with meridian splendour ; where it often happens that for six long months, no waterurns of the firmament (as Arabian writers beautifully denominate the passing clouds,) moisten the parched earth. It seems impossible that either animal or vegetable life can subsist on such a burning and sandy soil, and yet there is a class of vegetables, and certain small animals that live there, which are admirably adapted to resist the effect of temperature and soil. Campbell mentions, that while crossing one of these burning plains, he remarked several creeping plants of luxuriant vegetation. Now it is well known, that the plants of Africa have generally

succulent leaves, like those of the aloe and mesembryanthemum, and that the sap-vessels are very large; this may easily be observed by holding a leaf to the light, when they appear like tubes open at each end, and are thus enabled to absorb any atmospheric moisture. Dews fall heavily in those hot countries, and the plant is thus preserved in health and vigour. But the plant does not exist for itself only; the moisture thus secreted is given out for the benefit of others: it is either covered with large juicy berries, or the superabundant moisture distils from off the leaves. But the first most generally occurs, and the berries, which thus grow upon the stem or leaves, are filled with a clear transparent fluid, as essential to the well-being of the aborigines of those intolerable regions, as the cocoa-nut is to the inhabitants of the torrid zone. A small quadruped, resembling a mouse, abounds on the sand-hills, and these creatures were seen busily employed in nibbling off the berries, and carrying them to their holes, as seamen convey casks of water into their ships. Here is a real benefit conferred, and no doubt these little quadrupeds are of use, for we may certainly infer that no creature is placed without design in its alloted station. It may also be conjectured, that they are admirably adapted for the kind of life, to which Providence assigns them; for we cannot admit, that as these vegetables are furnished with large sap-vessels for absorbing moisture, and with others, through which the moisture distils into little berries, and all this expressly for preserving life in those small quadrupeds; that the quadruped itself has no purpose to fulfil. We may also briefly notice, how well the little animal is provided with teeth for nibbling off the berries. If the teeth were flat, or hook-shaped, as fre

quently occurs, the berries would in vain offer a refreshing draught to the thirsty quadruped; again, the quadruped draws out the superabundant moisture from the sand-plant, which is admirably furnished with large absorbing vessels, for the express purpose of drinking in the dew. Neither the plant, nor animal can minister to the dew; and from this we may gain instruction :—that gracious Being, whose silent operations are compared to the dew, which falls unseen, and yet refreshes the thirsty plant, derives no benefit from the mercy he imparts. He delights to bless his creatures, and in blessing to increase their happiness.

Now if the aloes, of which I have just spoken, grew in England instead of Africa, in a country where rain often falls, and the weather continues cloudy, their thick leaves would be unnecessary, for no animal requires a vegetable fountain in this land of running streams; hence the aloe never grows wild in England, and even the few English vegetables, which in any respect resemble it, flourish on rocks and walls, and their juicy tubes secrete a liquid which is invaluable in medicine.

Such are the water plants which supersede the necessity of streams in countries, where the existence of such streams, is incompatible with the general arrangement.

The Zamia horrida is also one of those extraordinary plants, of which the use cannot be otherwise than obvious.

The root, in a specimen we have lately seen at the Chelsea Botanical Gardens, is about the size of a quartern loaf. It grows at least three parts out of the ground, and retains its hold by means of fibres, that start from the base. A multitude of branches rise immediately from the top of this strange root, some straight, others horizontal, but none ever drooping; they are covered with stiff

thorns, whence the name of horrida, all of which are halbert-shaped, extremely sharp, and of a dull green colour. The zamia grows in India, in such parts, especially, as abound with small timid animals, and large wild fowls, which glide beneath the branches, when pursued by savage animals, or rapacious birds. Now if the branches drooped, this would be impossible; if they grew out of the ground, no creature could press through them; but the Creator, who evidently designed the zamia as a safe resting-place to those whose fleetness is their only protection, causes the under branches to grow horizontally, and places the greatest portion of the root above the earth. The zamia, too, like our own furze-bush, grows best in company with its kind, and hence many acres are sometimes covered with this wonderful production; when, therefore, the lion's roar is heard, or the deep growl of the tiger, or the scream of birds of prey, away scour the timid quadrupeds and birds, to hide beneath the branches, and there they are safe, for not even the lion, or rhinoceros, will make a charge upon this formidable plant.

There are, also, other plants, that wonderfully counteract the deficiencies of soil and climate, in the places where they grow. We shall notice some, that tend especially to the comfort of civilised life.

The Cow Tree has recently been discovered in one of the most unfruitful regions of South America, in a country but little calculated for the pasturage of cattle. It grows with dry and coriaceous leaves, on the steep side of a rock, and its large woody roots can hardly find sufficient depth of soil wherein to fix themselves. For several months not a single shower moistens its deep foliage; but the pores are so constructed as readily to imbibe the