218 ANATOMY AND I'll YSIOI.OGY OF PLANTS. 



and functions of the elementary textures, which by 

 their various unions, constitute the different organs of a 

 plant; these are, the membranous and cellular textures, 

 the vascular and glandular structures, and the epidermis. 



MEMBRANOUS TEXTURE. 



2. The membranous texture is an exquisitely thin, 

 transparent, colourless, film-like membrane or pellicle, 

 which is found in every species of vegetable. 



It has been observed by some, that this membrane is composed of 

 organic fibres, but it has not been distinctly proved to be an organ- 

 ized structure. 



3. The use of the membranous texture as a compo- 

 nent of the organization of plants, is to constitute the 

 basis of the vegetable structure. 



In its lax state, it forms the cellular and (he glandular textures, and 

 the epidermis ; a little condensed, the vascular structure, and per- 

 haps still more consolidated, the ligneous fibre. 



CELLULAR TEXTURE. 



4. On dissecting a plant, immediately under the epi- 

 dermis will be found a succulent cellular substance, for 

 the most part of a green colour, called the cellular tex- 

 ture or integument. This is formed from the membranous 

 texture. 



In the leaves, the cellular membrane is generally of a preen colonr, 

 and in the seed-lobes white; while in flowers and fruit, it assumes 

 a'most all varieties of shade, according to the species of plant, or 

 ce in which it is placed. It is, indeed, the seat of colour. 



