resided as a clergyman. His father was attached to his garden, which he had stocked with some of the rarer plants in that climate, and it is to the delight with which this spot inspired Charles, from his earliest childhood, that he himself ascribes his botanical passion. He was not distinguished for his proficiency in the ordinary studies of a literary education; but he made a rapid progress in the knowledge of plants, which he ardently pursued, both by frequent excursions in the fields, and by the unwearied perusal of such books on the subject as he was able to procure. When his father, who designed him for his own profession, came to the seminary, at which he was placed, for the purpose of inquiring into his improvement, he was much mortified to find his son declared utterly unfit for a learned profession by the tutors, who advised that he should be put to some manual occupation. In this perplexity he applied to the physician, Rothman, who was also lecturer in natural philosophy. This person discovered in young Linnæus, talents, which, though not fitted to make him a theologian, were not ill adapted for another profession, and he proposed that of a physician.. He took the youth gratuitously into his own house, gave him private instructions, and put him into a systematic method of studying botany. In 1727, Linnæus entered the University of Lund. He lodged in the house of Stobaeus, a physician, who possessed a good library, and a museum of natural history. He paid for his entertainment by various little services, and it was only by accident that his host came to know the extent of his studious ardour. The mother of Stobaeus having observed that the candle in his chamber was burning at unseasonable hours, was induced, through fear of fire, to complain of it to her son. Stobaeus, therefore, entered his chamber at a late hour, and found him diligently occupied with reading. Struck with this proof of his thirst after improvement, he gave Linnæus the free use of his library, and admission to his table. The advice of Rothman, however, caused him, in 1728, to quit Lund, and to remove to Upsal, for the sake of the superior advantages it afforded. His father advanced him the sum of about eight pounds sterling, which he was informed was all the paternal assistance he was to expect. Thus he was turned out upon the world while yet but a learner in the profession by which he was to obtain his bread. His little patrimony was soon exhausted, and he was reduced to depend upon chance for a meal. Unable to pay even for the mending of his shoes, he was obliged to patch them himself with folded paper. At length, in the autumn of 1729, as he was intently examining some plants in the garden of the university, he was accosted by Celsius, professor of divinity, and an eminent naturalist, who was then engaged in preparing a work on the plants mentioned in the scripture. A little conversation soon apprised him of the extraordinary botanical acquisitions of the student, and perceiving his necessitous circumstances, he took him to live in his own house. It was in this year that Linnæus conceived the idea of a new systematic arrangement of plants. He drew up a treatise, which was shown to Celsius, and by him to the botanical professor, who had the liberality to bestow on it his warmest approbation. As the professor's advanced age made him desirous of an assistant in the office of lecturing, Linnæus was appointed. He was afterwards invited by the Academy of Sciences at Upsal, to explore the cold regions of Lapland, and the alacrity with which this proposal was accepted, and the faithfulness with which the objects of his journey were secured, were equally creditable to his zeal and perseverance. visited Holland, and the most richly stored gardens of England and France. The great object of his wishes had always been the professorship of botany at Upsal, and through the kindness of an eminent Swedish statesman, he at length was chosen to that station, and he entered upon the duties of his office in the autumn of 1741. His increasing fame attracted students from every quarter, among whom were several, who imbibed, and diffused throughout the civilized world, a taste for the science over which Linnæus presided. He His father who had so often grieved at the perverseness of his son's disposition for hunting after plants and insects, fortunately lived to see him, not only professor of botany, but dean of the College of Physicians at Upsal, caressed by the noblemen of Sweden, and honoured by all the learned men of Europe. - His opulence was such as to enable him to purchase an estate near Upsal, which was his chief summer residence during the last fifteen years of his life. His views of nature impressed him with the most devout sentiments towards its author, and a glow of unaffected piety is conti nually breaking forth throughout his writings. A general mourning took place at his death, in 1778, and his body was attended to the grave with every token of respect. QUESTIONS.-1. To what circumstance does Linnæus ascribe his passion for botany? 2. What is said of his early proficiency? 3 How was his thirst for improvement discovered at the University of Lund? 4. What is said of his pecuniary means on his removal to Upsal? 5. In what manner did he come into notice at Upsal? 6. By what means was a taste for natural history diffused throughout the civilized world? LESSON 87. Study of Botany. BOTANY is that branch of natural history which treats of the vegetable kingdom. The study of this science is not a trifling employment, undeserving the time and attention bestowed upon it. Can we for a moment conceive that the works of God are unworthy the attention of man ?—that those productions which bear such evident marks of the wisdom and power of the Creator, are too contemptible for the examination of his creatures? Whoever has had the curiosity to crop the humblest flower of the field, and to observe the wonderful conformation of its parts, combining the united purposes of elegance and utility, will not hastily despise the study of nature. But when these observations are extended through the immense variety of productions which compose the vegetable kingdom; when the different offices of each particular part of the plant, every one essentially contributing towards its existence and propagation, are considered; when we advert to the variety of modes by which these ends are effected, and the infinite contrivance which is exhibited in their accomplishment, a wide field for instruction and admiration is opened before us. We need not labour to prove how delightful and instructive it is to "Look through nature up to nature's God ;" neither, surely, need we attempt to show, that if any judi♦ious or improved use is to be made of the natural bodies STUDY OF BOTANY. 195 around us, it must be expected from those who discriminate their kinds and study their properties. Of the benefits of natural science in the improvement of many arts, no one doubts. Our food, our medicine, our luxuries are improved by it. By the inquiries of the curious new acquisitions are made in remote countries, and our resources of various kinds are augmented. We find that gardening, the most elegant, and agriculture, the most useful of all arts, are improved only in those countries in which botany is made subservient to their advancement. And when a knowledge of this science is more generally diffused throughout our own country, we may expect to see it more frequently enriched with fields and adorned with gardens, which while they bestow honour on their possessors, shall prove a pleasant recreation to the old, and a useful study to the young. Nor should its influence on the moral character be disregarded. The late President Dwight was an eminent champion of the virtue which he practised. He often directed the attention of his pupils to Sweden, to point out the influence of natural history on the moral character of man. In that country botany is taught in the schools, and the habitation of her excellent children presents a cheering picture of domestic felicity. Their piety and their patriotism both flow from the same source; for while they examine the production of their country, they become attached to its soil, and while they contemplate the works of their Maker, they are animated with the glowing spirit of devotion. Botany deserves our highest regard as the source of mental improvement. Nothing so powerfully attracts the notice of the young observer, as the gay, though fleeting beauty of flowers; yet these interesting objects serve to produce an accuracy of discrimination, which is the foundation of correct taste and sound judgment. To those whose minds and understandings are already formed, this study may be recommended, independently of all other considerations, as a rich source of innocent pleasure. Some people are ever inquiring what is the use of any particular plant? They con sider a botanist with respect, only as he may be able to teach them some profitable improvement, by which they may quickly grow rich, and be then perhaps no longer of any use to mankind or to themselves. They would permit their children to study botany, only because it might possibly lead 196 TEXTURE OF VEGETABLES. to professorships, or other lucrative preferment. These views are not blameable, but they are not the sole end of human existence. Is it not desirable to call the soul from the feverish agitation of worldly pursuits, to the contemplation of divine wisdom in the beautiful economy of nature? Is it not desirable to walk with God in the garden of creation, and hold converse with his providence? If such elevated feelings do not lead to the study of nature, it cannot be far pursued without rewarding the student by exciting them. The more we study the works of the Creator, the more wisdom, beauty, and harmony become manifest; and while we admire, it is impossible not to adore. "Soft roll your incense, herbs, and fruits, and flowers, In mingled clouds, to Him, whose sun exalts, Whose breath perfumes you, and whose pencil paints!" QUESTIONS.-1. What is Botany? 2. Why is the study of this science not a trifling employment? 3. What renders it a field for instruction and admiration? 4. What may we expect when a knowledge of this science is more generally diffused? 5. Why did Dr. Dwight often direct the attention of his pupils to Sweden? 6. How is botany a source of mental improvement? 7. How do some people regard a botanist? 8. How are these views to be considered, and what reply is made to them? LESSON 88. Texture of Vegetables. Longitudinally, running in the longest direction. EVERY part of a living plant is covered with a skin or membrane called the cuticle. In the root and trunk it is coarse and hard, while in the leaves, flowers, and tender shoots, it is a fine, colourless, and transparent film, not thicker than a cobweb. It is porous and admits of the passage of fluids from within as well as from without, but in a due and definite proportion in every plant. It not only protects the young tree from external injury, but it preserves our choicest fruit from premature decay, and without it, the leaf would lose its verdure, the flower its fragrance, and their transitory beauty would become still more evanescent. To wheat, |