laid lengthwise between the outside and the middle of the stem; and they seem to have been placed there, on purpose to let some of the juices pass, without any difficulty, through the hardest and firmest parts of the tree. They do not run the whole length of the stem, but only for short distances in that direction. And it is these rays, as they are named, that give to oakwood, and beech-wood, and several other kinds, some of their handsomest markings.

Something else about stems of such plants I must put off to the next chapter; but I may not wholly leave out the canes, grasses, and other sorts. The stems of grasses, as you know, are jointed and hollow, and they do not get bigger round, but get filled up in the inside as they grow. The inside of the common cane I dare say you have seen. This drawing, marked (50), represents the inside of the stem of a kind of Palm-tree; it is very different from (49); and it will do exactly to show you how these are distinguished from those we have heard about lately.

The bundles of woody fibre are all arranged in order in (49); and you can see this even better in (34) and (43). But in (50) the bundles of fibre appear to lie in the most confused manner; and only are rather more thickly set towards the outside of the stem. There are no 66 rays" in the stems; and however high they grow, they remain of the same thickness, as you may see in any drawing of a group of Palms.

I cannot show you some of the most wonderful things about plants which grow in this manner; but if you understand what I have said, you will be better able, when you read larger books, to see how beautifully and well the great God has ordered everything belonging to these works of his hands, and the more closely you examine them, the more clear it will be, that they are made and taken care of by the allwise and Almighty Lord.

I should like to speak now about the stems of ferns and mosses, of horse-tails, and plants like them but I could not find room for what would please you and teach you most. Yet I can point out to you a way by which you may find out something for yourselves. Did any of you ever amuse yourselves by cutting the stems of the common brake across to see the oak-tree there is inside them? If not, do so.

That pretty pattern is made by the bundles of vessels through which the juices of the plant pass: and if you slit the stem along, you can trace the course of the vessels. The tallest fern that grows in England is the Osmund royal, and it is only an herb, although it is sometimes ten feet in height; but in hotter

countries, the stems of the ferns are as tall as those of the palm trees; and stems, taller still, are found buried underground in the coal-beds. There are marvels indeed for you to learn about plants!

The Happy Woodman.

OLD Grandfather Gray was a kind-hearted man,
And the villagers speak of him still,
As the happiest soul, from the time he began
In their peaceable hamlet to dwell.

The counsels he gave to the neighbours around
Will ne'er be erased from each mind;

Ah! well may his grave with fair flowers be crown'd,
For his equal they will not soon find.

He dwelt in a cottage with ivy o'erspread;
You may see the old harbour there now,

Where he sat to review the short hours as they fled,
When the sunshine of summer was low.

He toiled for his bread, and his heart was content,
Though a man of such humble degree;
Each morn to his labour he cheerfully went,
For a happy old woodman was he.

When the Sabbath day dawned, he was constantly seen
With a heavenly smile on his brow,

village-green;

As he walked up to church o'er the gay
Ah! in vain do they look for him now.
Nor went he to church as a duty alone,
But a heavenly blessing to seek ;
To obtain the good seed, so abundantly sown,
To gladden his heart through the week.
Thus he lived in the village, a Christian indeed,
Nor did his kind actions decrease;

His trust was in God, who supplies every need,
And the end of his journey was peace.

His hatchet and apron are needed no more;
The dog calls his master in vain !

His house still remains, and the ivy-clad bower,
But they ne'er will receive him again;

For Grandfather Gray has a dwelling in heaven,
He is free from all sorrow and care;
No more will his smiles of endearment be given,
For he lives in true happiness there.

CLOVERDALE.

66

Bible Sketches.

They brought Daniel, and cast him into the den of lions."
Dan. vi. 16.

WHAT a noble animal is the lion! He has been called "the king of beasts," and well does he deserve the name. Look at his fine, full face, his quick, keen