many important Truths in Phytology. 99 



since we follow till the embryo groius within, and till the seed 

 puts on all its outward cover? Between the commencement of 

 this picture and the completion, above twelve specimens are 

 drawn and exhibited, showing them in each different state. How 

 can any one forge all these, and make them exactly agree ivitk 

 the plant? And if they are acknowledged to be true, how can 

 such plain facts be otherwise explained? I have given this exam- 

 ple, merely to show the manner in which I study: it is as nearly 

 that adopted in chemistry as possible; since in botany you fol- 

 low with your eye the object from state to state while growing, 

 and nuist therefore perfectly understand the manner of its com- 

 ])osition ; while in chemistry the matter is decomposed and re- 

 composed again. Both means can admit of true facts only, and 

 each that T wish to establish will be given with equal clearness 

 and precision. The following propositions 1 shall first clearly 

 explain, as they are absolutely necessary to the obtaining a 

 thorough knowledge of the forms and nature of vegetable life; 

 and may be called fundamental maxims, which ought first to be 

 proved true, to open the way for more practical laws. These will 

 show what a plant is; and indeed, in describing and drawing up 

 the comparative anatomy of an animal and plant, in this Maga- 

 zine for AugustlS 15, I exactly fixed those marks of division which 

 this and the next letters will more clearly illustrate. 



The chief truths I have hitherto endeavoured to make known 

 are these ; the proofs of which I shall enforce with as much ex- 

 pedition as possible. 



1 . That there is no perspiration in plants. 



2. That there is no circulation of sap. 



3. That the spiral wire is the muscle of the plant. 



4. That the leaves are the lungs of the plant. 



5. That the different divisions of the leaves are formed of the 

 elongations of the bark and inner bark vessels. 



6. That the hairs and instruments of that kind are the means 

 which Nature takes to form the different juices according to their 

 various affinities. That these figures were taken for perspiration, 

 but are in reality liquids received from the atmosphere and flow- 

 ing into the plant, not a juice running from it. 



7. That the root is the laboratory of all plants. 



8. That the heart of the seeds is formed in the extremities 

 of the side-roots. 



9. That the flower is also formed in the middle root, and the 

 pollen in the tup root. 



10. That the corolla of a flower is formed by bubbles of water 

 placed in rows, and owes all its beauty, and the lightness of its 

 tint, to the refraction and reflection of the sun <m the drops of 

 water which form its pabulum. 



G 2 11. That 



