344 On the Physiology of Vegetables. 
of course explains the different process to which they are subject. 
When the powder is mixed with the liquid in the wheat seed, 
they-soon form a species of thick milk, which as it hardens be- 
comes flour: this four may be traced-from the rool upwards, in 
all the vessels formed for its reception in the pith which it sur- 
rounds; indeed it often almost engrosses the hollow stem for five 
or six weeks preceding the cutting of the corn. 
Thus then the manner of receiving the nutriment from the 
atmosphere is totally different from that of receiving it from the 
earth ;—it is impossible to mistake them. It is also equally une 
likely to take the nutriment bestowed by the earth (which is an 
extremely fine powder) for the hearts of the seeds, which are re- 
gular balls. I have shown that aa-are the hearts of the seeds 
in the gourds. But there is never but one corculum to each 
seed; and yet the amazing number of hearts are (like the seeds) 
scarcely to be reckoned: Nature’s astonishing prolific powers in 
all these respects are quite wonderful. But one circumstance (as 
much as any thing | have before mentioned) proves tliat it is the 
heart of the seed which is formed in the radicle which enters 
the seed-vessel, since (though it enters singly) it has still that string 
accompanying it with which it is always found; and which soon 
runs up the pistil, and forms, by enlarging vhe very vessel which 
conveys the juice from the stigma to impregnate the seeds, and 
which never enters but a single heart to each seed: and though 
IT have dissected many thousands,. 1 have never yet found: two 
corculums ; though several will come to the edges of the stalk 
(fig. 3. h,h, h) yet it is only in case the heart has died away, 
which often happens, that there may be another ready te suc- 
ceed. As soon as the case of the seed begins to form, all the re- 
maining hearts agglutinate and thicken; and, by degrees forming 
a mass, complete the outside of the seed. They are therefore 
of use; there is no loss: and though Nature is so prolific, yet 
not a single ingredient is wasted. The over-abundauce of seedss 
if completed, have each their order of insects they were intended 
to nourish, or for which they were disposed as nests; and the 
hearts of the seeds (if superabundant).contribute to form the 
exterior of the seed. Attention to, usefulness is peculiarly seen 
in the chesnut ;— there are always six seeds formed in every case, 
when first the flower appears; but there are never hardly more 
than two together, when the seeds are completed ; when the 
seed-vessel has received the hearts intended for. each seed, it 
-begins to take in the nutriment from the atmosphere; but soon 
it is found to select two only, and the others by degrees pass off 
or conglutinate into the mass which, surrounds it, while the 
powder from the root enters afterwards and serves to fill up and 
nourish the two best seeds, But no different sort of woetiel can 
Orr, 
