Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1833-06-17
ALEXANDRIA GAZETTE
LEAVES OF TREES.

There is nothing made in vain. The little
leaf, that futers 10 the breeze by the side Of our
daily walk, we are too apt to regard with indif.
ference; but, if We are ignorant, it is time to
know, that the leaves, not only Of the towering
oak, but also Of the fern and bramble, display ey-
ident marks Of the wisdom Of the Creator.
following remarks are taken from Sturm, as being
peculiarly appropriate at the the present season.
the chef beauties Of nature Our Impotence to see
them bud in the spring, and our Joy when they
appear, sufficiently declare how much We consid.
er them the pride Of our gardens, fields and
woods. What grateful shade they form in the
hot days Of summer, when retreatins from the
fervent rays Of the sun, we repose on the banks
of some clear stream beneath the overhanging
trees!-Yet this is the least Of all the advantages
which the leaves of trees afford. We have only
to consider their wonderful structure, to be con-
vince, that they are formed to answer much
more important purposes. Each leaf has certain
vessels, which, being closely compressed at the
extremity Of the stalk, extend themselves like
ribs on the inferior part of the leaf, and ramify
in various directions; and every leaf contains al.
SD an astonishing number of pores.
10 one species Of box, called Palma Cereris,
one hundred and seventytwo thousand pores
have been enumerated on one side Of the leaf
In the open air the leaves turn their upper sur
face towards the sky; aud the under towards the
earth, or the interior part ot the plant. To what
purpose could this particular arrangement con-
duce, il leaves had no other use than that of or
nameuting trees, and aifording an agreeable
shade? Surely the Creator had something more
Important in view.
"Leaves are instrumental TO the nutrition Of
plants, by imbibins through the pnres the hu-
midity of the atmosphere, which they c0mmuni-
cate 10 the whole plant. By the means Of ,heir
peculiar organization plants m dry seasons do
rot run the hazard Of being deprived OF m"s.
ture: they receive plentiful supply of refresh.
ing dew, which, falling upon the upper leaves
drop from them upon the lower ones, so that
all receive portion, aud none Of the insisorating
JUICE is lest. II appears from various expert.
meats, that plants per-pire to considerable
anooHt, and ,he caves have been ascertained to
bs TIE CHIEF organ. af this function.
They also contribute TO introduce into the in.
terror cf the plant the air Of which it is IN want,
as well q, "a extricate that which IL has used;
and laey terd 20 the preservation OF the buds
WHICH ~ tue ONtuS years uchCe una
nv trees when stripped Of their leaves, wither
and die. This frequently happens to the muI.
berr, tree, whosc leaves are taken to feed silk
worms; and this is the reason why the grapes ne
yer arrive at maturity when the vine has been
stripped Of its leaves m summer.
1--WE observe the inferior surface OF leaves,
which is turned towards the earth to be always Of
paler color and less shining appearance, and i:
mure rough and spungy than the upper surface
This popularity enables it more effectuaIy to in
bibe the dew which exhaIes from the earth, and
to distribute it with more facility and abundance
TO the whole plant. The leaves turn to that par,
whence they receive the mist nourishment; hence
we observe the leaves of certain plants hang We
~ low. The leaves OF trees which grow on
steep mountain take perpendicular direction,
BY which they are able to acquire the necessary
degree Of humidity"
Admire then the supreme wisdom OF HIM wht
made all things OF nothing, and consider eaci
leaf aud spear Of grass as important in the grand
and wonderful scheme of creation!