45 6 CONSERVATIVE ORGANS. [LECT. IX. 



that individual vitality, which is necessary for pre- 

 serving them in a state fit for vegetating, after their 

 separation from the parent, and before they are 

 planted in the ground. It would be anticipating 

 the arguments I have to advance on the causes of 

 vegetable reproduction, were I to enter largely into 

 the consideration of this subject at present; but I 

 may observe that, whether the progeny be direct 

 or lateral, a certain organization, whatever that 

 may be, peculiar to the species to which the indi- 

 vidual belongs, is requisite for retaining the vital 

 principle in conjunction with matter, and this is 

 found in the bulb as well as in the seed. In both, 

 the embryon is to be regarded not as a part only, 

 but as a compendium of the whole of the parent; 

 and the organization is so complete in every part, 

 that the separation from the parent effects no 

 change in it; and, consequently, as long as no 

 change occurs, both the bulb and the seed continue 

 fitted for commencing the vegetating process, when 

 placed under circumstances favourable for that 

 event. But it may be argued that a small portion 

 of a polypus will increase and become a perfect 

 animal, and twigs of the Willow, the Vine, and 

 of some other plants, after being separated for a 

 considerable time from the parent, will vegetate 

 if thrust into the ground and left there. We know 

 too little of the nature of polypi, to explain the 

 multiplication of the animal from cuttings, but it 

 is probable that the vegetation of the twigs re- 



