unnoticed to-day, it will be found flourishing as a banyangrove, (perhaps, alas! as a hemlock-forest,) after a thousand years." We We will conclude the present paper with this extract. hope the reader will allow it to be suggestive. A deed done can never be undone. A word spoken can never be recalled. An author publishes a book. Its various sentences go forth, ever exerting their own influence, whether for evil or for good. The man dies, but his published opinions are immortal. In the world of thought, they live, move, and act. O how cautious should man be in all that he does and says! Long after he is dead, and forgotten on earth, from the seed sown by him, the banyan-grove may be sheltering, the hemlock-forest may be poisoning. Even though the guilt of a wrong word may be pardoned, the effects of it may remain, in mischievous operation, till the end of time. ON THE STUDY OF BOTANY. "To the Editor of the Youth's Instructer.” I HAVE often been surprised that the study of botany should be so little cultivated by the youth of the present day; as it is one which, of all others, appears to be the most suited to their tastes, and is alike innocent and instructive in its tendency, pleasant in its pursuit, affording health to the body, vigour to the mind, and suggesting topics of devotion to the soul. "Consider the lilies of the field," were the words of our Saviour when on earth; teaching us to derive lessons, beneficial and instructive, from the contemplation of natural objects. To ladies, especially, because of their more refined and delicate tastes, botanical pursuits seem to be peculiarly adapted; affording them at once a pleasing and easy object of investigation, a grateful relaxation from severer duties, and a most salutary antidote to nervous indisposition: for what can be more delightful than the study and contemplation of plants; the inquiry into all their varied habits and economy; the examination of their different tribes and species; and the observance of all their beautiful movements and progressions, from the minute seed scattered upon the ground, to its fullgrown state, when spangled with foliage and flowers? "Go, mark the matchless workings of the Power In colour these, and these delight the smell; To the follower of such a pursuit, the field of nature becomes at once a beautiful and luxuriant garden; teeming with subjects of interest and curiosity, wheresoever he bends his footsteps, whether it be along the barren moor, over the rugged mountain, or through the smiling valley. In places which the careless and unobserving pass without finding anything either to gratify their senses, or engage their attention, he ever finds sources of pleasure, which they know not, objects of interest and novelty which they see not, and feelings of devotion and love to which they are entire strangers. Starting forth at the first appearance of spring, with what ardour and delight does he pursue his favourite calling, rambling through woods and fields, by mossy banks, and "fountain's sedgy side;" anxiously seeking the abodes of those "firstlings of the year," the pale primrose, the sweetscented violet, the daisy, "wee modest, crimson-tipped flower," so sweetly sung by one of nature's own poets; not forgetting even the humble chickweed, as, though so often unnoticed, it puts forth its small white flowers! But his pleasure does not end here. Carefully depositing a few specimens of each flower in the tin case which he carries for the purpose, he no sooner arrives at home, than, with his "British Flora" spread out before him, he commences his task, dissecting and examining each flower separately, carefully noting down their structure and character, and classifying, naming, and arranging, according to the system which he has adopted. It will, perhaps, not be uninteresting just to give a short outline of what we understand by this interesting science, as arranged by the great botanist, Linnæus :— Plants are divided into twenty-four classes, and one hundred and twenty-one orders; and there has been discovered no fewer than three thousand genera, fifty thousand species, and varieties of each species without number. By genera are understood the entire family of a plant: as, for instance, the family of roses, which also contains a great number of species, as the "moss rose," "monthly rose," " cabbage rose," &c.; each of which species also affords an almost infinite number of varieties, which are known by their particular names. They are divided into classes, from the variations in the number of stamens which they contain. Such flowers as have but one stamen are called mon-andria, those of two stamens, di-andria; and so on, up to twenty stamens; and above twenty they are called poly-andria, Some of the classes are distinguished by the position of their stamens and pistils only: as, for instance, those having stamens on one plant and pistils on another, are called diacia; on different plants, poly-gamia; when these are altogether invisible, crypto-gamia. The pistil is an extension of the wood or pith which rises from the centre of the flower, and is discriminated by its swollen base, which is the seed-vessel. The stamens generally surround the pistil, and are distinguished by the farina or pollen, a rind of fine dust which covers them, and which, when applied to the pistil, is there absorbed and carried down the style of the pistil to the germen, or seed-vessel, in the centre of the flower, where the seed is in consequence produced within a pericarp, afterwards called fruit. It is by the application of this dust to the pistils of different flowers, that new varieties are produced, called hybrids. The corolla is composed of the petals of the flower, and is the part which constitutes its chief beauty and attraction. The nectarium is the part within the corolla, which secretes the honey. The calyx is an expansion of the bark, exterior to the corolla. Such is a very brief and imperfect outline of some of the first principles of classified botany; and conveys but an inadequate idea of the many divisions and subdivisions to which the minutest flower is subjected, or of the study and investigation which they afford, In conclusion, I would again earnestly recommend to youth, of both sexes, this interesting and delightful study, as a pursuit both healthful and innocent, and evidently intended by our great Creator to teach man, in all his walks through life," to look through nature up to nature's God." The more they study it, the more they will discover of that which is both instructive and pleasing; and often will they say, with the poet, Sheffield. "Not a tree, A plant, a leaf, a blossom, but contains A folio volume; we may read and read, J. H. J. ADVERTISEMENTS. [LOOKING Over an American Paper, ("The New-York Christian Journal,") we met with the following piece, extracted from "The Scottish Sabbath-school Teachers' Magazine." We think our readers will be glad to see it transferred to the pages of "The Instructer." When they have read it, they may, by the exercise of a little thought, add a few more " and "LOSSES."] 66 WANTS MANY a one who has cast his eye over the closely condensed advertising columns of "The Times," where "Wanted" begins every second or third line, must, from seeing what are those wants which are there pressed on the notice of his fellow-men, have been led to think on those other wants, far more real, and far more general, though far less felt. We note a few things which are, indeed, wanted; and we do so with that solemnity with which we would wish them read. WANTED-A supply of zeal for Sunday-school Teachers at present engaged in the work of teaching, but who are almost entirely inefficient in consequence of the above want. N.B. Zeal, such as is displayed daily in the world's service, would suit admirably. WANTED-Four hours weekly, by some respectable Christian people, engaged during the whole week serving themselves, but who earnestly wish to do something for Christ, if it would cost them little. WANTED-A number of Christians to teach Christ's truth to the world. WANTED-A number of Christians who will pray for the world. WANTED-A person to attend a large school and assist the Teachers. His chief duty will be to remind each Teacher as he enters the room what he is going to do:-"That he, a poor sinner, is going to try to save an immortal soul from hell, by leading it to the Saviour." WANTED-By a number of Teachers, some knowledge of what they try to teach. WANTED-An excuse for giving up Sunday-school teaching. WANTED A body of labourers to work in the vineyard of Christ. Wages,―everlasting life. WANTED-Employment for a large body of Christians thrown out of work by having realized a competency, and who feel their time hanging heavily on their hands. Again, how many things are lost that are never felt by the world, and never advertised? LOST-during this week, through the negligence of Christians, many precious souls. Their number at present is not known. LOST-amid the cares of the world, in going from his residence to his place of business, on Monday morning last, a Christian's heart. LOST-an opportunity of doing good to souls. LOST to his Sabbath-school, a Teacher, in consequence of having a more comfortable fireside than formerly. LOST-in attempting to serve two masters, an immortal soul. ADDITIONAL. WANTED-By a person engaged in a very lucrative concern, in which he is able to employ a large quantity of power, a partner who will bring a sufficient quantity of directive prudence. Address, ZEAL, |