Vlll CONTENTS. 



CHAPTER VII. 



PAGE 



The Leaf, with the entire edge, is alone to be regarded as a simple 

 Leaf The Leaf takes a higher form of Organization, and becomes 

 compound in proportion to the Development of the fibrous portion 

 of its Lamina All the irregularities of its margin, such as Lobes, 

 Teeth, Crenatures, Serratures, result from an effort at new leaflet- 

 formation arrested in its first stages, 107 



CHAPTER VIII. 



A sketch of the History of Creation as recorded in the strata of the 

 Earth, showing that the Trees which now cover its surface were not 

 all created at the same time, but were introduced as the Earth be- 

 came fitted for their reception Trees were created in succession 

 Those of a low type of Organization are the most ancient inhabi- 

 tants of the Globe The more highly organized Trees have been in- 

 troduced at a, comparatively speaking, modern Geological epoch, . 131 



CHAPTER IX. 



Change which takes place in the constitution of Trees at the period of 

 puberty Organic Metamorphosis of their Leaves into Flowers and 

 Fruit, and relative physiological rank of the Floral organs, . .152 



CHAPTER X. 



Contains a Description of Trees remarkable for their gigantic growth 

 and great age } found in different parts of the World, . . .169 



CHAPTER XL 



The Woods take the first rank in the communities of the Vegetable 

 Kingdom Reciprocity of action amongst Plants A cool Atmo- 

 sphere produced by Woods Their removal is followed by a warmer, 

 drier Climate, and is beneficial in some cases Woods on Mountains 

 must not be cut down Pernicious results of their removal in Italy 

 Woods useful along the Sea-shore, where the coast is low and sandy 

 Concluding remarks, . . . . . . . .176 



CHAPTER XII. 



The Death of the Tree is founded on an inner law of its organism, 

 and is not the result of accidental causes, 185 



