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CHAP. X. 



Parallel between Plants and Animals, 



1. JLN our researches into the gradual progression of 

 beings, and orgauical economy, we had frequent occa- 

 sion to compare vegetables and animals with each 

 other. Let us here collect, in one view, those various 

 marks of analogy which are scattered hither and thither; 

 let us represent them- as in a picture, wherein, by a> 

 nearer description of them, they will agreeably attract 

 our attention. We will afterwards enquire, if there be 

 any character which essentially distinguishes the vegeta- 

 ble from tne animal. 



2. A seed is an organized body, which, under various 

 coverings, thicker or thinner, and more or less numer- 

 ous, contains within it a plant in miniature. A whitish 

 substance, of a spongy nature, fills the capacity of the 

 seed : small vessels, which proceed from the germ, are 

 in every part of this substance, dividing and sub-dividing 

 it. After being laid in the earth, moistened ami warm- 

 ed to a certain degree, the seed begins to shoot up : 

 the moi ture, which has penetrated its outward folds, 

 dissolves thy spongy substance, and mixes with it. Of 

 this mixture is formed a kind of milk, which being car- 

 ried to the embryo by the little vessels, furnis es it 

 with a nourishment adapted to its extreme delicacv. 

 The radicle, or little root, begins,, by this means, to un- 

 fold itself; it increases in bulk and extent every day. 

 In a short time it becomes sensible of too-- close a con- 

 finement : it makes an effort to come forth. A small 

 orifice, made in the exterior surface of the seed, facili- 

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