A new View of Vegelalle Life. 279 



lectiiig in thicker patterns, when the lancet, in passing over the 

 raised part, pushed them up together, aggregating their numbers. 

 See fig. 1, PI. No. ;]. [Plate IV.] 



After examining many different cuttings, I got a fresh branch 

 of the elm, the beech, the oak, the plane, and rose, and cut 

 specimens from each: — still the same object was visible, though 

 arranged not exactly in the same manner, yet in stripes of 

 flowers. Convinced I was not mistaken, I made a bold effort at 

 proving the fact to others, assured that if Sir William Herschel 

 (who happened to be here) saw it, no one would hazard the con- 

 tradicting a sight whose perfection was so well acknowlediredy 

 or a judgement so well matured, though they constantly dis- 

 puted mine. I requested him, therefore, to prove the fact : and 

 with the generosity and good-nature for which he is so much 

 loved, he came and examined it directly ; and said, he saw it 

 most plainly. I then showed him an horizontal piece, in which 

 he also saw the same appearance of leaves and flowers (see fig. 6). 

 Assured therefore it was a truth ; the first specimen was allowed 

 to rest for several days, while I was examining herbaceous plants: 

 but great was my astonishment when I next viewed it, to find 

 that it had thrown off many white and double lines, between 

 which flowers and leaves did appear to be formed, and that in 

 many places complete bouquets had also aggregated of a glu- 

 tinous jelly-like matter; — in short,that vegetation seemed to have 

 continued and prolonged itself even on the glass ; for as the wood 

 had been cut with a pair of scissars, making its edge exactiy 

 even, each addition would be most visible. This was indeed a 

 fact worth ascertaining ; and after trying it repeatedly, 1 again 

 retjuested the favour of Sir William Herschcl's assistance. He 

 gave it me witii the same simplicity and kindness as before — di- 

 rected me to divide the talc into squares, thus regularly magni- 

 fied, that I might be sure of the increase of the part ; and then 

 taking an exact drawing of the specimen by tbat measurement, 

 there could be no fear of my not knowing the real quantity 

 added, even to a hair's breadth. This was completed on Friday; 

 but on Sunday morning just looking at it, 1 was not a little 

 vexed to see that (great damps having prevailed in the atmo- 

 sphere) much moisture had insinuated itself between the two 

 talcs; and would, I was fearful (before Sir William Herschel 

 came on Monday), destroy that clearness and disllnctness of 

 form for which both leaves and flowers are remarkable. I there- 

 fore prepared two other specimens ruled in the savie manner. 

 In three days, though the wet had, from a renewal of moist 

 weather, still in some measure injured it, yet the lines and 

 flowers were perfectly delineated : — indeed, the only harm niois- 

 4>. 8 4 ture 



