Solitary Individual

The Yucca Flower and the Pronuba Moth
[From the book Behind the Dim Unknown]

“The seven heavens and the earth, and all beings therein, declare His glory: there is not a thing but celebrates His praise; And yet ye understand not how they declare His glory. Verily He is Oft-Forbear, Most Forgiving.” . . .

Wonders and Problems at Time of Birth
[From the book Behind the Dim Unknown]

“Certainly We created man of an extract of clay. Then We made him a drop of [seminal] fluid [lodged] in a secure abode. We then turned the drop of fluid into a clot of blood, then the clot into a small lump of flesh, then the lump into bones, then We clothed the bones with flesh; Then We produced him as [yet] another creature. So blessed be God the best of creators.” . . .

The completion of flowering usually is attended by the production of seed, which provides for succeeding generations of plants. Although seeds have always roused man's curiosity, the complexity of the biological activity of seeds has not been widely appreciated. To the casual observer seeds appear to be dead entities, whereas in reality they are uniquely integrated living systems. But the fact that a seed is a living entity does not imply that it will germinate when placed in favorable environmental conditions. The process of germination requires a distinct quality in the seeds. A viable (living) seed may be incapable of germination because of some inherent deficiency, or it may be in a dormant condition—i.e, a condition in which germination is temporarily delayed because of some action or inaction of the internal control mechanism. Germination of the seed follows the ability of the embryo to resume active growth after a period of inactivity.
Most seeds do not germinate immediately after ripening but have special mechanisms to delay germination until favorable conditions have arrived. This dormancy, or delayed germination, is particularly prevalent in the temperate regions where germination in the fall of the year would expose the seedlings to severe weather conditions.
But again we face unsolved problems. We do not know the exact causes and mechanisms of seed dormancy. The patterns of dormancy, however, suggest a very positive relationship between termination of dormancy and favorable environmental conditions. As such, dormancy is a time-measuring device. In this connection, Xanthium offers an interesting example. Its capsule contains two seeds which are differentially timed for germination by a year. In some oaks germination consists of two steps which occur a year apart. In the first year the root appears and grows, during the second year the epicotyl (upper portion) elongates with its leaves.
As stated, we do not know the control mechanisms that bring about this suspension of development and growth. The exact biochemical nature of the germination process remains obscure. More important, the biochemical patterns of the dormant seed during its inactivity are completely obscure. How is this prearrangement of a period of inactivity incorporated into the living system of the seed?
The complexities and problems dealt with above are, of course, only a few of very many. We may find some of the answers in the future. Experience, however, has taught scientists that as answers are found, new problems have a way of increasing and multiplying, making us ask, When is there an end? The answer to that is undoubtedly, Never, here and now. But for believers in God, I am sure, there comes a time when all mental fuzziness for us finite men will be cleared away. Bright sunshine will follow haze and mist.
In the meantime all men of faith will humbly and heartily assent to the words of the psalmist: “O Lord, how great are thy works! Thy thoughts are very deep.” (Ps. 92:5, AV) Botanists, too, have discovered the truth of this ardent exclamation abundantly.

[From the book Behind the Dim Unknown]

“Verily, God is the One who cleaves the grain and the fruit-kernel asunder, bringing forth the living out of that which is dead, and He is the One who brings forth the dead out of that which is alive. Such is God: whither away then are ye deviating?” . . .

Mulch Sorw I walke With
Earlier 13 c.

The sacred pledge of Heav'n
   All things revere,
   Each in his sphere,
Save man for whom 'twas giv'n.

Die Bilder der Vergangenheit sind nicht verlassen
Von der Natur, als wie die Tag’ verblassen
Im hohen Sommer, kehrt der Herbst zur Erde nieder,
Der Geist der Schauer findet sich am Himmel wieder.

[What images once were, they were not banished
by Mother Nature, like her days that paled and vanished
amid high summer: When descends the autumn's power
the sky will show it as the spirit's shower.]

🍂 Hölderlin, excerpt from Der Herbst.