Natural Philosophy of Plants and Seeds
The creation of plants and trees on the third day, with their seeds and propagative power. God produced all plants suddenly, in perfect size, by Himself alone; the earth supplied only the material. Plants have in themselves the power of generating through seed, attaining a kind of immortality. Basil marvels at God's providence in germination: stalks equal in number to roots, joints strengthening wheat, husks hiding grain from birds.
Chapter I (The Six Days of Creation)
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Verse 11: Let the earth bring forth
— God produced all plants suddenly, in perfect size, by Himself alone; the earth supplied only the material.
""Let it bring forth," not by actively producing, as Cajetan and Burgensis hold, but by only supplying the material: for in the first creation of things, God by Himself alone actively and efficaciously, and indeed suddenly, produced all plants and vegetation"
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Verse 11: Let the earth bring forth
— Plants have in themselves the power of generating through seed, so that though individuals perish, they remain in their offspring and attain a kind of immortality.
"this to the end that, although individual plants perish, they may yet remain in the seed and fruit which they propagate from themselves; and thus attain a certain quasi-immortality and eternity."
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Verse 12: And the earth brought forth
— On this third day the earth also brought forth poisonous herbs and roses with thorns; what is poisonous to man is beneficial to other things and useful for medicines.
"on this third day the earth also brought forth poisonous herbs, likewise the rose with its thorns: for these are as it were connatural to the rose, and innate to it."
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Verse 11: Let the earth bring forth
— Basil marvels at germination: stalks equal in number to roots, joints strengthening wheat, husks hiding grain from birds, beards warding off small creatures. Symbolically, God wills we cling to neighbors with embraces of charity.
"The sprout, while it is continuously warmed, draws up through its rootlets that moisture which the force of heat draws forth from the earth. See how the stalks of wheat are girded with joints"