VEGETABLE ORGANIZATION. 65 



texture in relation to these functions, in the 

 order of their increasing complexity ; beginning 

 with those of vegetables, which are apparently 

 the simplest of all. 



2. Vegetable Organization. 



PLANTS, being limited in their economy to the 

 functions of nutrition and reproduction, and 

 being fixed to the same spot, and therefore in a 

 comparatively passive condition, require for the 

 performance of these functions mechanical con- 

 structions of a very different kind from those 

 which are necessary to the sentient, the active, 

 and the locomotive animal. The organs that are 

 essential to vegetables are those which receive 

 and elaborate the nutritive fluids they require, 

 those which are subservient to reproduction, 

 and also those composing the general frame" 

 work, which must be superadded to the whole 

 for the purpose of giving mechanical support 

 and protection to these finer organizations. As 

 plants are destined to be permanently attached 

 to the soil, and yet require the action both 

 of air and of light; and, as they must also 

 be defended from the injurious action of the 

 elements, so we find these several objects pro- 

 vided for by three descriptions of parts : namely, 

 first, the Roots, which fix plants in their situa- 



VOL. I. F 



