GO SYLVA AMERICANA. 



wing, and a third again are in themselves so light, that each of 

 them float in the air and are carried in its current which way 

 soever the wind may blow. A last means adopted by nature for 

 the dispersion of seeds, is the action of streams, rivers and the 

 currents of the ocean. The mountain stream or torrent washes 

 down the valley the seeds which may accidentally fall in it, or 

 which may happen to be forced from its banks when it suddenly 

 overflows them. The broad and majestic rivers, winding along 

 the extensive plains and traversing the continents of the world, 

 convey to the distance of many hundred miles, the seeds that may 

 have vegetated at their sources ; while by the currents of the 

 ocean, fruits and seeds, indigenous to America, have been 

 deposited upon the western shores of Europe. 



Thus nature, by means the most comprehensive, yet upon 

 principles the most simple and intelligible, provides for the 

 completion of all her works ; and the more we examine her 

 attributes, the greater proofs we obtain of the usefulness and ends 

 for which her powers have been called into action. 



Germination is that act or operation of the vegetative principle 

 by which the embryo is extricated from the envelopes, and 

 converted into a plant. This is universally the first part of the 

 process of vegetation. For we have already proved, that all 

 plants spring originally from seed ; the doctrine of equivocal 

 generation being now most completely exploded, and an additional 

 proof adduced of the uniformity of the operations of nature. 

 But seeds will not germinate at random, and in all circumstances 

 whatever. They will germinate only under certain conditions, 

 and till such conditions take place the vital principle lies dormant 

 in the substance of the seed. But when a seed is placed in the 

 soil, or in circumstances otherwise favorable to vegetation, the 

 vital principle is immediately stimulated into action, producing a 

 variety of combinations, and effecting a gradual change in the 

 parts of the seed. The radicle is converted into a root ; the 

 plumelet into a trunk or stem with its leaves and branches ; and 

 a new plant is formed capable of extracting from the soil or 

 atmosphere the food necessary to its growth and developement. 



The conditions necessary to germination relate either to the 



