we see a seed spring up, which we have sowed, we must not imagine (as is usually the case) that it is not worth our attention. It is one of those wonders of nature, which is a subject of reflection for the greatest men. At the sight of this phenomenon, let us silently admire the power and wisdom of that God, who is adorable in all things. The order with which the plants so regularly succeed each other, is a proof of that wisdom which manifests itself even in the smallest things. This reminds us of our moral nature: that also contains a certain seed, which shoots with years, which grows and bears fruit. In the designs of the Creator, this was a means to lead us to happiness; but our natural corruption, and outward circumstances, often defeat those merciful intentions.

MAY IX.

The Chick in the Egg.

WE are much obliged to the naturalists, for taking the trouble to make inquiries into the generation and propagation of animals. Nothing contributes more to the glory of the Creator than the observations made on the wisdom which appears in the production of animated beings. The less we are able to give an account of all his works, the more earnest we should be to take every opportunity of knowing some of them at least. With this view, let us now consider the formation of the chick in the egg; such as has been discovered by one of the greatest naturalists. The hen has scarce sat on the egg twelve hours, when they begin already to discover in it some lineaments of the head and body of the chicken which is to be born. The heart appears to beat at the end of the day it has at that time the

form of a horse-shoe, but no blood is yet seen. At the end of forty-eight hours two vesicles of blood can be distinguished, the pulsation of which is very visible. One is the left ventricle, the other the root of the great artery. At the fiftieth hour one auricle of the heart appears, and resembles a lace or noose folded down upon itself. The beating of the heart is first observed in the auricle, and afterwards in the ventricle. At the end of seventy hours they distinguish wings, and on the head two bubbles for the brain; one for the bill, and two others for the fore part and hind part of the head. Towards the end of the fourth day, the two auricles, already visible, draw nearer to the heart than they did before. The auricle which appears first, seems to have two horns, but it is afterwards found to be two auricles. The liver appears towards the fifth day. At the end of 131 hours, the first voluntary motion is observed. At . the end of 138 hours, the lungs and stomach become visible, and at the end of 142, the intestines, the loins, and the upper jaw. At the 144th hour, two ventricles are seen, and two drops of blood, instead of the single drop which was seen before. The seventh day, the brain, which was slimy, begins to have some consistence. At the 190th hour of incubation, the bill opens, and the flesh appears in the breast. At the 194th, the sternum is seen, that is to say, the breast-bone. At the 210th, the ribs come out of the back, the bill is very visible, as well as the gall-bladder. The bill becomes green at the end of 236 hours; and if the chick is taken out of its coverings, it evidently moves itself. The feathers begin to shoot out towards the 240th hour, and the skull becomes gristly. At the 264th, the eyes appear, At the 288th, the ribs are perfect. At the 331st, the spleen draws near the stomach, and the lungs to the chest. At the end of 355 hours, the bill frequently opens and shuts; and at the end of

451 hours, or the 18th day, the first cry of the chick is already heard. It afterwards gets more strength, and grows continually, till at last it sets itself at liberty, by opening the prison in which it was shut up. Adorable wisdom of God! it is by so many different degrees that these creatures are brought into life. All these progressions are made by rule; and there is not one of them without sufficient reason. If, for example, the liver is always formed towards the end of the fifth day, it is founded on the preceding situation of the chick, and on the changes that were to follow. No part of its body could appear sooner or later without the whole embryo suffering, and each of its limbs becomes visible at the most proper moment. This ordination, so wise, and so invariable, in the production of this animal, is manifestly the work of a Supreme Being: but we shall still more sensibly acknowledge the creative powers of the Lord, if we consider altogether the mauner in which the chick is formed out of the parts which compose the egg. How wonderful is it, that there should be in this egg the principle of life of an animated being; that all the parts of an animal's body should be concealed in it, and required nothing but heat to unfold and quicken them! That the whole formation of the chick should be so constantly and regularly the same way! That, exactly at the same time, the same changes take place in twenty eggs, or more, that a hen hatches! That when the position of an egg is changed, and turned from one side to the other, it does not in the least hurt the fœtus, or prevent its formation! That the chick, when it is hatched, is heavier than the egg was before! Even these are not all the wonders in the formation of the chick. The microscope, and the observing spirit of man, have only discovered what falls the most under our senses. How many things, the complete discovery of which is reserved for them who come

after us, of which we shall not have a perfect knowledge till in a future state! How many inquiries may be made on this mystery of generation, inquiries which the human mind can never here resolve. But let not this ignorance discourage us; let us only think of making a good use of the knowledge we have, by leading us to admire and praise the wisdom, the power, and the goodness, of our Creator.

MAY X.

On the Buds of Flowers.

ON all sides I discover a multitude of flowers in the bud. They are at present enveloped and closely shut up in their intrenchments. All their beauties are hidden, and their charms are veiled. Such is the wretched miser who lives by himself, who centres all in himself, and whose views are mean and selfish; who connects every thing within himself; who makes his own private advantage or pleasure the only object of his desires, and the narrow motive of his actions. But soon the penetrating rays of the sun will open the buds of the flowers, and will deliver them from their silken bonds, that they may blow magnificently in our sight. What delightful perfumes will they exhale! Thus, also, may the most sordid miser become beneficent when his soul is enlightened by grace. To a heart of stone may succeed a feeling and compassionate one; a heart susceptible of the sweetest and tenderest emotions. By the mild influence of the Sun of righteousness, the social affections discover themselves, and open more and more. Sensibility no longer centres in one object; it becomes universal; it takes in all mankind; it extends its generous cares, and all that is within its reach is benefited by it. When I reflect on

the buds and blossoms, I think of you, O lovely youth of both sexes! The beauty and power of your minds are not yet unfolded. Your faculties are still in a great measure concealed. The hope which your parents and masters conceive of you will not so soon be realised. When you consider these buds, say to yourselves, I resemble that bud, my parents and masters expect from me the unfolding of my talents and faculties; they do every thing for me; they neglect nothing for my information and instruction; they watch most tenderly over my education; to the end that I may become (first by blossoms and afterwards by excellent fruit) their joy and comfort, and make myself useful to society. I will therefore do all in my power to fulfil the pleasing hopes they form. I will take advantage of all the improvement and instruction they give me, in order to become every day wiser, better, and more amiable. For this purpose, I will take care not to give way to the desires and passions of youth, which might be fatal to my innocence, and destroy all the hopes conceived of me.

"In the morn of life, I blossom like the bud, which insensibly opens. My heart beats with joy, yields to the most cheerful hopes, and sees nothing but happiness in future. But if I was imprudent enough to give a loose to mad desires, and the false pleasures of luxury, those guilty flames would soon wither and corrupt my young heart."

MAY XI.

Indefatigable Labours of the Bee.

IT is one of the advantages of spring, that it furnishes us with an opportunity of observing the industry and labours of the bee. Certainly a bee