On the Hoots differing hi each SoiL 327 



Wfy^ decomposed, and the oxygen given out; and the only re- 

 «iaining juices, the sap, (after mounting and attaining the liigliest 

 part of the tree,) descended flo-a/V? through the ijark into the root. 

 Thus everv sort of nutriir.ent belonging to the plant is disposed 

 of. And what then is left to nourish the plant ? what is to form 

 all the new shoots of the tree, and new wood which requires the 

 sap to stagnate on the parts while forming? But, instead of this 

 false system, if we suppose that part only just which dissection 

 <i:iihoriz€s and enforces, " the dispersion of oxygen arising from 

 decomposed water," and the very pockets from which it flows, ia 

 <iiscoverable in the leaves: that from other sorts of hairs are taken 

 into the plant all that can form the r.-cnts and sweet-smelling oils, 

 and are thus made to pass into the second cuticle, where they 

 ure defended hy a double skin from the too great evaporation ; 

 •while tlie various bark juices after muting compose the pabulum 

 ■of the leaf; then pouring down through tlie .leaf-stem, pass uu- 

 .der the rind, and fi!i the large vessels of the inner bark, the green 

 part detachinjK itself and forming separate as in the leaves; while 

 the upper cuticle of the leaf gives nutriment to many plants, 

 and with the assistance of the hairs and instruments gives scents 

 or juices to all : that through the root and froiu the earth is 

 taken the sap, which is aiwa}s analogous in quantity to the mea- 

 stive of the new shoots it is to form, and the new wood it i'-. to 

 create : that the tap-root also suj^plies the ceniie ?hov)t and tlie 

 powder of the pollen. Thus every i)avt is provided for; and the 

 whole formation is justified, euid iiuleed was at first suggested by 

 "the dissection of plants, and can in its whole process be followed 

 lip by the eye, with the help of little more than a single mi- 

 croscope, though the di«covcries (jf course were made Vvith much 

 more pnwerful means. It is also certain that the roots mark, by 

 their shape and their accowpaniments, the soil in v\'iiich ti.ey 

 arc to grow ; it cannot therefore be wondered at, that the cuticle 

 of the leaves of each i)lant shijuld concur wjtli tliem to display 

 the same. 



It was my intention to leave the root of rock p^ants unde- 

 scribcd for the present, till 1 got some more vegetables of tliat 

 kind ; but I am anxious to bring tliem all into one point of vie/c, 

 .^nd show how entirely the soil governs the plant, <ind how truly 

 the root differs in shape, forma/ ion, and uccomfinniments, whci 

 it originally proceeds from another earth ; and in tiiis case there 

 are very strange alterations 1 cannot in any manner account fcr. 

 The stem from the root upwards is o:;posed and open to the 

 atmosphere, and generally covered witli hairs or sptves, wdiicli is 

 only another means of taking in nourishment ; but tne root be- 

 low is laid over with a double cuticle of a very strange ki??d. 



X4 It 



