Mr. R. B. Hinds on Geographic Botany. 95 



The part which vegetation performs in the economy of nature 

 is in every way capable of exciting our admiration at the harmony 

 and mutual dependence existing among the several kingdoms. 

 In the connexion of the latter with each other, it is not easy to 

 discover a point where it can be said these cease or begin. We 

 learn that a portion of the earth became dry land, and was thus 

 prepared for the clothing of vegetation with which it was imme- 

 diately invested. The heavenly bodies were rolled into their sta- 

 tions, and that variety of light and temperature required by plants 

 was bestowed on them. The vegetable kingdom left in this con- 

 dition would have flourished in boundless luxuriance, but without 

 any very apparent use, and another host of organized beings was 

 soon added, to keep its vigour in check, and to derive nutriment 

 from it. Among the countless myriads of animals now called into 

 existence, it is impossible to say how far they depress the exube- 

 rance; the multitudes of insects constantly feeding on the foliage, 

 the flocks of birds always on the search for seeds, and the 

 herbaceous animals tearing the branches from the trees and the 

 roots from the soil, must cause vast quantities to disappear. 

 Even with all these, however, a very slight impression can ever 

 be made, and a limit to its excess is derived from the property 

 of all plants to run through a certain com'se and then die. 



Plants, like all organized beings, have a determinate period to 

 their existence. This varies greatly ; some scarcely survive be- 

 yond a few hours, others a few months, and some extend through 

 many years, even through ages, each in its existence performing 

 an assigned set of functions. Every species is endued with a 

 certain period of vitality which it receives from its organization. 

 Among trees, the ash and the elder do not attain the longevity of 

 the oak. Individuals, besides the specific attributes conferred on 

 them, are liable to casualties which may extend or contract their 

 duration. Among the natural causes are, the varying influence 

 of climate within the range of their growth, situation, whether 

 in the interior or margins of forests, and certain injuries to which 

 they are exposed from animals. The removal of plants from one 

 climate to another is capable of converting annuals into biennials 

 and the reverse, and cultivation will sensibly protract the life of 

 others. The larger vegetation when assembled in masses will be 

 observed to carry with it certain appearances indicative of age, 

 and in this state of things climate seems the chief agent. Two 

 spots on the same latitude, and with coeval forests, may in one 

 have every appearance of great age and longevity, and in the 

 other all the signs of youth and vigour. 



Dissolution at length overtakes all organized beings, the prin- 

 ciple of life is withdrawn, and they are resolved into their consti- 

 tuents. With the removal of life organization ceases, chemical 



