CHAPTEE XY. 



THE VEGETABLE KINGDOM. 



THE seven-fold constitution of the Vegetable Kingdom as a 

 whole, is illustrated by the seven progressive developments in 

 the growth of a single perfect tree, which consist of 1. The 

 root, or little appendages thrown out from the germ before the 

 stem appears ; 2. The simple stem ; 3. The branches ; 4. The 

 leaves ; 5. The flower-buds ; 6. The blossoms ; and 7. The 

 fruit. The seven corresponding divisions of vegetable forms 

 may be traced as follows : 



The first and lowest of these consists simply of confused 

 radical fibers, which do not necessarily appear above the sur- 

 face of the earth. In constitution, this degree of vegetation is 

 but little superior to the finest forms of crystallization, from 

 which it differs principally in respect to its soft and succulent 

 nature, the frequent curvilinear directions of its fibers, and the 

 circular forms of their transverse sections. Of this lowest 

 kind of vegetation, we have examples in the slimy accretions 

 which occur upon the surfaces of rocks, logs, etc., submerged 

 in water ; and of which the fibrous underground mould which 

 occurs in warm wet soil, impregnated with rapidly decompos- 

 ing matter, constitutes the terrestrial representative. 



The second division of vegetable forms is represented by 

 plants that have a simple stem or shoot projecting above the 

 earth, but no branches nor leaves. Of these, some of the 

 simplest species of sea- weeds afford examples. 



