*18 Kolices respecting New Bocks. 



plicate a form, every part of which is most exquisitely 

 finished, and the whole so well and skiU'ully arranged, as to 

 conslituie a being capable of giving existence to others 

 similar to itself. 



'' Although the vegetable physiologist may not have 

 more to engage his altenlion, yet, he has not less to admire. 

 How widely and wonderfully different is the mature vegeta- 

 ble from the seed which gave it being ! How great the con- 

 trast between the diminutive acorn and the stalely forest 

 oak ! The seed is seemingly nothing more than a mere 

 homogeneous substance; but, when placed within the in- 

 fluence and operation of particular causes, its latent vital 

 principle is called forth into action, a variety of organs are 

 unfolded, and by successive evolutions the plant arrives at 

 that stale which constitutes the perfection of its nature, 

 when, like animals, it is also endued with the power of 

 propagating its species." 



The^ Author theri proceeds to consider ^' of the Distinc- 

 tions between Animals and Vegetables," and next takes 

 •' a general view of their analogies," on which subject he 

 points out many interesting particulars. After this, follow 

 some obser\'ations on " Vegetable Motion" and on " In? 

 stinct and Volition," in the course of which Mr. T. has 

 thrown out some very interesting and original ideas. The 

 other subjects treated of are arranged in the following order: 

 " Of vegetable Instinct. — Of the Sleep of Plants. — Of Sleep 

 in general. — Of Sleep as related to the voluntary Power. — - 

 Of'the locomotive Power. — Of Sensation in general. — Of 

 vegetable Irritability. — Of the nervous System of Vegeta- 

 bles. — Of vegetable Sensaiion. — Objections considered. — ■ 

 Animals are exposed to injuries. — Of the Limits prescribed 

 by Naiure to the Destruction of Life. — Of vegetable Self- 

 preservation. — Organs of Defence in Vegetables. — EfBuvia 

 of Plants a Protection from external Injuries. — Of the Pre- 

 servation of animal and vegetable Life. — Of the Enjoyment 

 of Life. — Of the Limits between the animal and the vege- 

 table Creation. — Conclusion." 



The Author has also enlarged on some of the abovemen- 

 tioned subjects under the head of Additional Observations, 

 which are chiefly of a metaphysical nature, and display 

 much ingenuity of argument, although some of the opinions 

 advanced may be open to dispute. On the subject of In- 

 stinct he concludes by observing, — " From this view of 

 the subject we may form some idea how far instincts may 

 supply any deticiencv of intellectual power, and even com- 

 pensate for the total want of reason in the brute creation. 



But 



