314. In forms of use belonging to the plant kingdom, an image of creation is visible in this respect, that they progress from their first constituents to their last, and from their last constituents to their first. Their first constituents are seeds, their last constituents are stems covered with bark, and through the bark, which is the final integument of the stems, they progress to seeds, which, as we said, are their first constituents. The stems covered with bark resemble the earth covered with soil, out of which arises the creation and formation of all useful ends. It is a fact known to many that plant growth occurs through the bark, cambium and other coverings, by struggling up through the integuments of the roots and through their continuations around the stems and branches into the beginnings of fruits, and in like manner through the fruits into seeds. An image of creation in these forms of use is apparent in the progression of their formation from their first constituents to their last, and from their last constituents to their first, and from the fact that present throughout their progression is the goal of producing fruits and seeds, which are useful ends. From the foregoing observations it is apparent that the progression in the creation of the universe went from its first origin, which is the Lord girded with the sun, to last forms, which are the substances of the earth, and from these through useful endeavors to the first origin or the Lord. It is apparent, too, that the ends in the whole of creation were forms of use.