ORGANS OF PLANTS. 



49 



stock of knowledge, by a continued observation of objects ad- 

 dressed to our senses? After the years of infancy are past, and 

 we begin to study books, should we, neglecting sensible objects, 

 seek only to gain ideas from the learned ; or in other words, 

 shall we in the pursuit of human sciences, overlook the works 

 of God? 



Having now enabled you to understand the method of analy- 

 sing plants, we shall proceed to consider more fully the different 

 organs of plants, with the uses of each, in the vegetable econ- 

 omy. 



In plants, as well as animals, each part or organ, is intimate- 

 ly connected with the whole ; and the vegetable, as well as the 

 animal being depends for its existence on certain laws of or- 

 ganization. 



We shall consider the vegetable organs under two classes ; 

 the first including such organs as promote the growth of the 

 plant ; the second such as perfect the seed, and thus provide for 

 the reproduction of the species. 



1st. The Root, or descending part. 



2nd. The Stem, which elevates and sustains the 



branches. 



3d. The Leaves, which are the lungs of plants, 

 inhaling nutritious gases, and exhaling such as 

 are not needed for the growth of the plant. 

 4th. The appendages, as leafets, tendrils, thorns, 

 &c. 



1st. The Calyx, or outer part of the flower. 



2d. The Corolla, or coloured blossoms within the 

 Calyx, or enclosing the stamens. 



3d. The Stamens, organs surrounding the cen- 

 tral one. 



4th. The Pistil, central organ. 



5th. The Pericarp, covering the seed. 



6th. The Seed, the essential part ,which contains 

 the rudiments of a new plant. 



7th. The Receptacle, or base of the flower, being 



the end of the flower stem. 

 The parts above enumerated consist of subdivisions, as may 

 be seen in the following table. 



We should not confine our attention exclusively to books Vegetable as well 

 as animal existence depends on certain laws of organization Two kinds of or- 

 gans of vegetables The first set of organs The second set. 



5 



Organs which 

 promote the 

 growth of the 

 plant. 



Organs which 

 perfect the 

 seed. 



