tSS ON THE INTERIOR OF PLANTS* 



the rtext and last step is tlie tearinj^ off the limb, exactly 

 as nature does it. Perhaps no appearance shows the forma- 

 tion of trees and shrubs, and explains their construction so 

 well, as this way of examining them; it often points out 

 the line of life drawn after the bud; shows many a bud 

 creeping through its nndulatin* prison; and above all ex- 

 eraplities that curious construction, which I shall soon ex- 

 plain by the name of the minor obstruction. These studies, 

 with n vegetable cutting taken from two or three different 

 parts of the plant under investigation, formed the specimens 

 from which I proposed judging of the interior of plants. 

 I have already drawn 86 trees, and 123 shrubs, in this man- 

 ner: but it is only the renewal of former labours, though 

 the last four months have more particularly been dedicated 

 to it. If I wished to recommend to my sex a complete 

 cure for the vapotirs, I could not offer them a better than 

 that, which, having employed me 13 hours out of the 24, 

 never gave me a moment's weariness. How, indeed, is it 

 possible to be tired of contemplating such wonders, and 

 discovering such miracles 1 Enthusiasm here is the natu- 

 ral consequence of seeing. 



The first thing necessary to the explanation of the dis- 

 section of the exterior of the stem of trees, shrubs, and 

 The line of smaller plants, is, that I should ascertain the existence of 

 *"®' that important part, the line of life; which has by some 



means missed the observation of most physiologists. Du 

 Hamel indeed (that excellent writer) observed, that all buds 

 proceeded from it, and recommends it to the attention of 

 future botanists. Linnaeus (whose «very hint is a trait of 

 genius and science) finding that all buds, and. all radicles, 

 proceeded from this part, and not seeing the line of life, 

 supposed it was from the pith they came; for the line of 

 life is only to be distinguished by a pretty strong magnifier; 

 but it is very easy to be discovered in all common vegetable 

 cuttings, and still more easily traced from that line, which 

 si\\ philosophers have agreed to own of the first consequence 

 in the plant, and which they call the impregnating vessels; 

 but which is the identical line of life, which 1 have repeat- 

 edly taken out without breaking IVom the stem to the seed, 

 Mnd from the embryo back again to the stem. Its identity 



will 



