1 6 The Rev. J. B. Reade on Structure in the Ashes of Plants. 



without interfering with the process of vegetation. But since 

 the residual matter which combustion separates is as it were 

 carefully arranged, in certain definite forms, throughout the 

 entire plant, those forms varying uniformly in different parts 

 of the same plant but preserving many similar characters in 

 similar parts of different plants, we cannot suppose that there is 

 no connection between structure like this and the general ceco- 

 nomy of vegetation, or that so concealed but curious a con- 

 trivance has no share and interest in the functions of vegetable 

 life. 



We may also further infer that there is a chemical union of 

 the earthy, saline, and metallic ingredients which the ashes of 

 plants contain. If these ashes were wholly destitute of struc- 

 ture, we might with justice suppose that they contained their 

 elements in mechanical combination merely, each particle be- 

 ing a pure portion of a separate element. But the fact of 

 organization compels us to conclude that, in each and every 

 particle of the incombustible residuum, every element is com- 

 bined under the operation of a natural chemistry. And hence, 

 under this impression, we can pronounce the ashes of plants 

 to be a purely vegetable product, equally with the nutritive 

 products, starch, sugar, and gum. 



Whether the physiologist will condemn as fanciful and 

 vague any idea of analogy between the bones of animals and 

 this systematic distribution of incombustible matter in plants ; 

 or whether, — bearing in mind that created things differ in mag- 

 nitude preeminently, — he will be disposed to confirm such spe- 

 culations ; these are points which I cannot decide. Of this, 

 however, I feel confident, that every lover of the microscope 

 will be glad to place in his cabinet a series of objects which, 

 to say the least, will call forth his admiration, if they do not 

 also awaken a suspicion that he is examining structure which 

 has been obedient to some rule, and is therefore conducive to 

 some effect. 



Peckham, April 27, 1837- 



Note. — The above observations may possibly tend to 

 throw some light on the natural process of the silicification of 

 wood. By the agency of an intense heat the surrounding si- 

 liceous matter may be liquefied and the carbon and gaseous 

 products of the wood dispelled, while the essential characters 

 of the fibrous and cellular structure are undisturbed. The 

 unconsumed portions, which alone constitute the true vege- 

 table frame-work, are then, as it were, mounted in the fluid 

 silica. This property of retaining its form notwithstanding the 

 action of heat, which seems to be a characteristic of fibre, sug- 



