22 
i have now to observe, that however homogeneous and 
unorganized the seed-lobe may appear, it is nevertheless 
full of vessels, and these communicate with that part of the 
embryo plant which expands into the rootlet. When, 
therefore the seed-lobes become swelled and succulent by 
the absorption of moisture, the farinaceous particles are, 
by some process which we cannot explain, (but which has 
often been considered as a kind of fermentation,) combined 
with the absorbed fluids, so as to form a vegetable milk, 
and this being collected by innumerable vascular branch- 
lets, is at length carried by one large trunk from each lobe 
into the rootlet, to the nourishment and growth of which, 
its presence is necessary: 
From this source then the rootlet is supplied with food, 
but the part which is to rise and form the green stem, still 
continues of its original small dimensions, until the rootlet 
has attained sufficient strength and volume to extract and 
elaborate the moisture and nutritive particles from the soil. 
At length it does acquire sufficient maturity ; it elaborates 
nourishing fluids which now go to the plumule or plantlet, 
and it in its turn next expands, and is developed into the 
green stalk and leaves, which raise themselves as they grow 
into the air and light. The seed-lobes having then done 
their duty, and acted the part of a bountiful nurse, die, and 
disappear. The plant is fully established in its own strength ; 
it grows on, from day to day, to its destined form and di- 
mensions ; it flowers; it produces a numerous progeny of 
seeds, which continue the species; and thus, in this fugitive 
annual, we have a picture of the process by which man, in 
a more extended portion of time, though by a different or- 
ganization and economy, grows, flourishes, withers, dies, 
bat still his race continues as before to people and inhabit 
the earth. 
