CH. IX.] DEATH AND DECOMPOSITION. 333 



though in extreme decrepitude, it has not exceeded 

 the age assigned by naturalists as that beyond which 

 the life of the apple does not extend. But then 

 another question will arise, supposing our golden 

 pippin does appear to survive the allotted period, — 

 Who will undertake to demonstrate that the golden 

 pippin of Tenham still exists ? It is quite certain 

 that a majority of the apples for which the title of 

 golden pippin is claimed have no pretensions to the 

 distinction, and more than one old person with whom 

 it was once a favourite fniit now declare that it is no 

 longer obtainable. 



Be this as it may, even if the tree in question 

 has not already departed, yet even those who main- 

 tain that it is still to be found lingering in our fruit 

 gardens, acknowledge that it is in the last stage of 

 decrepitude and decay ; it is following the imiversal 

 law of nature, no organized creature shall endure 

 through all time. Grafting may postpone the arrival 

 of death, as the transfusion of blood will revive for 

 a while the sinking animal, but the postponement 

 cannot be for a time indefinite : the day must 

 come in both the animal and the scion, when its 

 vessels shall be without the energ}^ to propel or 

 to assimilate the vital fluid, though afforded to it 

 from the most youthful and most vigorous source. 



