171 



CHAP. X. 



PHYSIOLOGY OF MAKITIME PLANTS. 



Adaptation of their Structure to their Places of Abode. Special 

 Instances of this Adaptation. Analogy between Marine and 

 Maritime Plants. Functions of Koots. Adaptation of Leaves 

 to their Office, &c. 



IN our enumeration of littoral plants and flowers, 

 it was unavoidable to take into view among those 

 lovely denizens of the sea-shore some occasionally 

 found inhabiting places far removed from the 

 beach. Such plants do not differ in their general 

 structure from the ordinary botanical specimens 

 found in inland districts. It is therefore unne- 

 cessary to speak of their physiology. It is our 

 province chiefly to describe objects peculiar to 

 those localities, the natural productions of which 

 it is our object to illustrate. With reference to the 

 subject of physiology, we shall therefore restrict 

 our observations to plants strictly belonging to 

 the sea-shore. 



The chief object which attracts our attention in 

 considering the physiology of littoral plants, is the 

 series of admirable adaptations in their structure, 

 fitting them in a special manner for the places of 

 their abode. 



Such is the rich profusion with which the hand 

 of Creative Power has scattered over the earth 



