The reason why : $b a careful collection of many hundreds of reasons for things which, though generally believed, are imperfectly understood. A book of condensed scientific knowledge for the million
John Stuart Mill · en
These and many more varieties exist in what we call _fruits_.
In pulse, and grain, and grasses; seeds (as in the pea tribe)
regularly disposed in parchment pods, which, though soft and
membranous, completely exclude the wet even in the heaviest
rains; the pod also, not seldom, (as in the bean), lined with
a fine down; at other times (as in the senna) distended like a
blown bladder; or we have the seed enveloped in wool (as in the
cotton-plant), lodged (as in pines) between the hard and compact
scales of a cone, or barricadoed (as in the artichoke and thistle)
with spikes and prickles; in mushrooms, placed under a pent-house;
in ferns, within slits in the back part of the leaf; or (which
is the most general organisation of all) we find them covered by
strong, close tunicles, and attached to the stem according to an
order appropriated to each plant, as is seen in the several kinds
of grains and of grasses.
[Verse: "And I will send grass in thy fields for thy cattle, that
thou mayest eat, and be full."--DEUTERONOMY XI.]
In which enumeration, what we have first to notice is, unity of
purpose under variety of expedients. Nothing can be more _single_
than the design; more _diversified_ than the means. Pellicles,
shells, pulps, pods, husks, skin, scales armed with thorns, are
all employed in prosecuting the same intention. Secondly; we may
observe, that in all these cases, the purpose is fulfilled within
a just and _limited_ degree. We can perceive, that if the seeds
of plants were more strongly guarded than they are, their greater
security would interfere with other uses. Many species of animals
would suffer, and many perish, if they could not obtain access
to them. The plant would overrun the soil; or the seed be wasted
for want of room to sow itself. It is, sometimes, as necessary to
destroy particular species of plants, as it is, at other times,
to encourage their growth. Here, as in many cases, a balance is
to be maintained between opposite uses. The provisions for the
presentation of seeds appear to be directed, chiefly against
the inconstancy of the elements, or the sweeping destruction of
inclement seasons. The depredation of animals, and the injuries
of accidental violence, are allowed for in the abundance of the
increase. The result is, that out of the many thousand different
plants which cover the earth, not a single species, perhaps, has
been lost since the creation.