196 SOCIAL CONDITION OF PLANTS. 



length some coral island in mid-ocean. Dashed 

 on the strand by the waves, it is saved from fracture 

 by its hard covering. The spongy husk absorbs 

 the rains. The rootlets descend through two ap- 

 .ertures in the shell ; the sprout ascends through 

 a third ; and speedily a young palm tree spreads 

 its broad leaf to the vibrations of the solar light 

 and heat. 



If this incipient palm tree, by its self-directive 

 powers, anticipates geological formations, provi- 

 sions its craft for a sea voyage, and takes possession 

 of an emerging coral isle, it as much surpasses 

 man in intelligence as in physical growth. 



Among the dense crowds of growing plants, as 

 in the ranks of social life, there is the same aspiring 

 to overtop each other, the same laying up of little 

 stores for the future wants of their offspring, and 

 the same appropriation of them by others, not their 

 progeny. 



Plants extend their roots to reach substances 

 which are their appropriate food. The molecules 

 of carbonic-acid gas, in permeating the soil, are 

 attracted by the negative points of the rootlets, as 

 by the pole in a galvanic circuit in electro-plating 

 with molecules of gold or silver. By the continued 

 deposit of molecules of carbon on the ends of the 

 rootlets in the direction of the advancing current 

 of carbonic-acid gas, the accretions naturally take 

 place in the direction of the decomposing body, 

 from which the gas issues. 



