8 DISTINCTION BETWEEN ANIMALS AND VEGETABLES. 



the nourishment which can there be afforded them. If we 

 twist the branch of a tree, so that the under surface of the 

 leaves shall come uppermost, they gradually turn upon their 

 foot-stalk till the proper side is exposed to the rays of the 

 sun. This they will do repeatedly, until they have become 

 injured by the exertion ; and if the leaf be confined, so that 

 it cannot resume its natural position, its stalk will become 

 twisted by the effort to accomplish it. The sunflower, the 

 leaves of the mallow, and some other plants, generally turn 

 their faces towards the sun. The tendrils of plants, on the 

 other hand, move always towards the shade, in whatever di- 

 rection it may be. In a greenhouse, if exposed to the morn- 

 ing light, they direct themselves towards the west, at noon to 

 the north, and at night to the east. They are also attracted 

 by opaque bodies. 



Instances of a similar nature are afforded by the sleep of 

 plants, as it has been denominated. The leaves of many 

 plants are folded together during the night, and droop as if 

 dying.. In some instances they are so arranged, when in this 

 state, as to serve as a cover to the flowers or young fruit, 

 protecting them from the noxious effects of the dew. The 

 flowers of other plants follow the same lav/, and close at the 

 approach of night, for the apparent object of shelter and pro- 

 tection. The modes in which this is done in different cases 

 are exceeding various, but the simple mention of the fact is 

 sufficient for the purpose of illustrating this internal power of 

 motion. 



Yet, although we cannot distinctly point out in what this 

 kind of vegetable motion differs from the motions performed 

 by animals, there is no difficulty in perceiving that they are 

 entirely different. Although we see in the vegetable world 

 many instances, where plants exhibit phenomena which seem 

 almost to imply the possession of volition, of sensation, and 

 of thought, yet, upon examination of each of these instances, 

 we find ourselves in no danger of confounding the plants, in 

 which they exist, with the animal kingdom. The general 

 aspect, the form, the structure, and the relation of the various 

 parts, are entirely different ; and it is in their general charac- 

 ter that these two classes of created things differ from one 

 another, and not in the possession of any one distinct discrimi- 

 nating principle. Let us look for one moment at the circum- 

 stances in which vegetables and animals are distinguished by 

 the possession of different organs, a different structure, and a 

 difference in the principles which actuate them 



