But man must have food, and food must be produced from the seed; and the seed must necessarily find the ingredients for their development with the necessary surplus for reproduction.

So we look at the structure of the seed; we analyze every particle and note the wise provision in its composition, structure and inherent qualities necessary for preservation and propagation. We find the germ element laid far down in the secluded and well protected parts and away from the ravages of insect and weather. Also with an outer crust or shell, then with an inner fiber or covering, as a rule of a glutinous, spongy or firmer substance within which the germ is embedded. Note the kernel of the peach, almond or acorn.

Having noted the life germ, we see a wonderful power inherent, as above suggested, to assimilate from the elements nourishment to produce a stalwart tree (for example) with numberless branches and fruits for many years, besides reproducing itself most copiously.

As the fruit is useless without the power of assimilation and desire on the part of man or beast for the fruit, and with facilities of body, such as hands and feet, to appropriate same, so we see in man these reciprocal requirements.

Through the tissues and structure of the body power is also inherent to produce another body altogether different from the one appropriated. In all these assimilations and appropriations the mind of man to a large degree is brought to function as guide and monitor, aside from the involuntary action of the parts involved.

Thus we see the goodness and wisdom of God in building up from the lower to the higher until the crowning glory of His creations is found in the mind and soul of

man with power to apprehend God and come into communion and sympathy with Him.

The calix, corrola, stamen and pistil of the blossom carry with them their peculiar function to protect, propagate and stimulate. The stamen with pollen and odour to attract the bee lie loosely for the wind to waft the pollen to another blossom for purposes of fertilization. The calix, strong in its position, stands as a support to the blossom, and the corrola as an outer guard to serve as protection to the seed and stamen, while the pistil with firm stalk, as it were, holds at its base and far down under cover the seed, and within the seed we see the germ life well hidden and protected from insect and weather as before suggested.

The seed of animal life is also protected and hedged about by divine purpose for propagation and preservation, but it is not necessary to extend the discussion at this time.

As we find in the mountains and mines limitless provision for man, so in the forests we see a wise provision for lumber for all building purposes. Our houses, furniture and vessels are thus provided, and with the hand of man in co-operation with Divine Providence, we have in the trees of the forest a wonderful source of supply of material needful to man's shelter, warmth and equipment for house furnishings.

In the vegetable kingdom we see a manifestation of the goodness of God in the many kinds of vegetables good for food provided in their seasons and suited to serve man's needs. The potato with its variety figures probably more largely than any other in its use for food and sustenance of man. It is easily propagated, cultivated by the simplest methods and by an unskilled farmer. The Irish potato is probably the most generally used, and

is a common food with ingredients such as starch and other chemicals necessary for sustaining life. It is said that in 1848-49 potatoes were the sole food of the Irish peasantry. The sweet potato is remembered by the writer as one of the choice tubers of boyhood days-when the sweets were put on the table the boyish eyes danced with glee and mouth watered at the happy anticipation of a dinner of saccharine flavour.

The beet, turnip, carrot, and many other of this large family contribute to the welfare of man in the season in which they mature; also in the great appeal to man's appetite as he craves the nourishing products of farm and garden.

The watermelon and cantaloup are among the many relishes of the early and mid-summer months, when refreshing juices or waters of same slake the thirst and satisfy the palate. Then the berries come in their season and mark a happy period in the life of all. And you will note that many of these vines have guards to prevent the birds and insects from molesting; yet man, with care, finds easy access to them.

When the vegetables have about run their course, our all-wise Provider then brings on the nuts and fruits needed; as it were, courses to suit the appetite, in the

season.

The corns with strong exterior fiber, with grains lying close together and nestling, embedded within the strong cob, almost say to man: "Here we are ready for immediate action or to wait as reserve for the winter season.” The life germ of the grain of corn is extremely persistent in its power of propagation. It is said that a grain of corn buried and hid away with the mummies in the time of Rameses, when placed in the soil germinated and produced.

There is also a marked manifestation of the goodness of God in the wise provision of the fruits in their seasons to nourish man and beast.

As in the case of vegetables, we see that they ripen at a season to suit the needs of man, and that their maturing runs concurrent with man's desire, so we may look at the fruits of the garden and farm and note how the fruits of the various trees mature with appeal suited in season to man's need and appetite.

Among the first to claim our attention is the beautifully coloured cherry with its dark hues of red and its lighter shades of yellow and orange. It ripens early, at a time when man needs with his diet the acid juices for cleansing the internal organs which the cherry apparently furnishes. Such also runs concurrent with the early vegetables.

Then, in order, come the peach, apricot and early apples, running along in season with the early melons and berries.

Then, later, come the prunes, quinces and early oranges, and running along with these, we find the corns, sweet potatoes, larger beets and sugar canes, all ripening in the later season when man begins to think of the winter, for which season of rest or inaction man must lay by the products of nature's bounties suitable for storing.

The nuts and the more hardy fruits ripen at this season. The leaves and fruits put on their bright and gaudy colours and with appeal almost audible reveal their beauty and call to man's wisdom and appetite.

The squirrel and chipmunk begin to lay up for their winter rations and to provide for winter's blast and

snow.

The cooling winds of the autumn and the peculiar

beauty of the leaves, together with the shorter days, appear to awake us to nature's call to provide for the days of coming rest. These are winter's harbingers of approaching change.

The wheat, corns and nuts peculiarly panoplied to meet the conditions of winter storing may be carried into barns or whisked away to parts far distant, as demand may appear.

In season structure and form we see the wise provision thus made in nature, and the goodness of God is manifest.

The lettuce and early vegetables are not constructed suitable for the later season and for storing away for winter's use. The nuts, corn, wheats and later apples are not made to ripen in the spring too long before the season for storing.

Thus, in the science of Botany, we see the benign purpose of our Creator providing for every need of mankind.

Light has a wonderful influence upon plant life as well as upon animal life. The plant sends out its shoots which bend toward the light. And the leaves spread out and twist around to catch the rays of the sun. Thomson says that "Light interferes with the action of gravity on the stem and is the primary cause of leaf movement. The leaf is formed wide and flat as a rule, with exposure of surface to the light as large as possible and in colour (green) and in place to absorb or drink in the carbon dioxide, the nourishing food of the plant, from the air." Vegetable life is the great transformer and prepares the foods for animal life.

The leaves, the lungs of the plant, are unable to withstand the frosts of winter, but the seed containing the life germ is built and protected even when dried up so that