T H E 



PHILOSOPHICAL MAGAZINE 

 AND JOURNAL. 



31 st AUGUST 1824. 



XII. The Theory of Vegetable Physiology of M. Aubert 

 du Petit Thouars,- or of the Increase of Plants by means 

 of Buds, or fixed Embryos. By John Lindley, £517. 



To the Editors of the Philosophical Magazine and Journal. 



Gentlemen, 



WISH to direct the attention of naturalists in this coun- 

 -*- try to a curious theory of vegetable physiology which 

 arose in France several years since, but which has not yet 

 attracted notice here. The author, M. du Petit Thouars, is 

 equally remarkable for the originality of his opinions, and for 

 the dexterity and ingenuity with which he supports them. 

 They are scattered over many separate works, and have been 

 published piecemeal and at long intervals of time ; so that even 

 in his own country, where his works are best known, few per- 

 sons can be found who are acquainted with the precise nature 

 of his theory, or who will take the trouble to consider the 

 plain propositions upon which it is supported, divested of their 

 discursive and deeply metaphysical illustrations. 



This theory has always appeared to me to be a most re- 

 markable explanation of most of the phasnomena of vegetable 

 increase ; and I have for a long time hoped that some notice 

 would have been taken of it in those of our elementary works 

 which are devoted to the subject of vegetable physiology. 



Whether the opinions of M. du Petit Thouars are founded 

 on true or false reasoning, it is not necessary now to inquire. 

 They are at least the opinions of a man of high reputation as 

 a botanist and philosopher; they have never been contradicted 

 by any writer of talent, and from their peculiarity and inge- 

 nuity are certainly deserving of attention. I therefore have 

 subjoined to this communication the principal propositions 

 SOnnected with the theory, extracted from the latest pub- 

 lication of the author, in which they have all been collected. 

 If it should appear that suflicient interest exists among botanists 

 in this country to induce you to occupy the pages of your 



Vol. 64. No. SI 6. Aug. 1824. L Journal 



