17S On the Physiology of Vegetalles. 



xariety of cuticles being divided into layers, and each showing 

 such a mini her of npprtures, through which the flowers shoot 

 (see AA), instead of a plain and regular set of sheets (00) as in 

 trees. But tliere is often, as I before observed, a thing which 

 seems to confine this flexible matter, and give the part the ap- 

 pearance of different shaped vt-ssels, as at fig. S, 9, and 10. 

 Tiiis I cannot well understand ; but I have gi\'en each exactly 

 as it appeared to me ; subjecting both copy and original to the 

 opinion of many, who confirmed and reassured me as to the truth 

 of the likeness. However, when the flower rises above the root, 

 in herbaceous plants, each separate division shows again a more 

 marked line of life ; and if then the round stem is cut a little 

 slanting, this vessel will appear again with its liouquets, as it has 

 passed from the root upwards, (see fig. 12). After remaining a 

 time in this siti/atic/i, a large collection of flowers begins to 

 gather in the middle of the stem, and you gradually see those 

 of the line of life begin to empty : it generally takes five or six 

 increasing specimens to complete the whole process ; it is then 

 discovered that most of the flowers have left the vessels of the 

 line of life to gain this repositorv, {IjI'). But it is not one only, 

 but two or three, according to the size of the ])la!)t. Here they 

 receive their seeds and pollen, and visibly increase in size, and 

 then rise into perfect flowers by the growth of the stem (ccc.) 

 Their passage from aaa to Ibb is most plain, and easily traced, 

 for the first hour after you have cut the plant ; but it requires 

 the eye to be accustomed to the microscope, to see it well ; and 

 the moment the seeds enter the seed-vessels, they prove them 

 the flowers. 



Can I then by any labour, or in any way, trace this series of 

 facts in a more convincing manner? These specimens were all 

 taken from plants of the same kind in a series, as they appeared 

 a few days older than the preceding ; and the progressive mo- 

 tion from bud to flower, from flower to fruit, is not ])lainer with- 

 out, than it is in the interior. The difference between the tree 

 and herbaceous plant is just sufficient to account for the ivinter 

 lud in the former. It will be remembered that tiiis is the fourth 

 year I have taken up plants in this manner: — The first year I cut 

 eighty-six trees ; the second, seventy-eight; and so on : and such 

 loads of herbaceous, beginning long before they appeared above 

 ground, that I ha\e learnt all their winter process. I am sure 

 I have cut many thousands within the last two years, subjecting 

 every part to the microscope. Docs there appear then any 

 room in this pictiuefor self-imposition or mistake? I well know 

 how false reasoning is ; but I reason not, I only trace a series of 

 pictures presented in regular gradation by Nature: and though 

 exhibiting so many different parts, which it would seem almost 



impossible 



