342 PRINCIPLES Oi V E G E T A T I O ^T. 



contrary direftion : for the radicle defcends into the earth, and divides 

 into a great nunnber of fmallcr branches or filaments ; but the plume af- 

 cends into the open air, and unfolds itfelf into ftem, branches, leaves, 

 flowers, fruit, {sfr. The plume in corn Ihoots from the fmaller end of 

 the grain. 



The fubflance, or parenchymatous part of the lobes is not a mere con- 

 creted juice, but is curioufly organized, and confifts of a vaft number of 

 fmall bladders refembling thofe in the pith of trees. 



When the feed is fown, the moifture is firfl abforbed by the outer coats, 

 which are every where furnifhed with fep and air-veffcls; from thefe it is 

 conveyed to the cuticle ; from the cuticle it proceeds to the pulpy part of 

 the lobes, where it is taken up by the mouths of the fmall branches of 

 the feminal root, and paflcs from one branch to ano,ther into the main 

 trunk, which-communicates both with the plume and radicle: then this ve- 

 getable food runs in twooppofite directions; part afcending into theplume, 

 promotes its growth and expanfion j part defcending into the radicle, 

 nourifhes the root and its filaments. Thus a plant is really poflefledof 

 two roots, both contained in the feed. The plume and radicle, when the 

 feed is firfl: depofited in the earth, derive their nouriihment from the fe- 

 minal root; afterwards, when the radicle begins to fhoot out its fila- 

 ments, and to abforb fome moifture, not, however, in a fufEcient quantity 

 to fupply the exigencies of the plume, the two lobes, or main body of 

 the feed, rife with the plume, aflume the appearance of two leaves, re- 

 fembling the lobes of the feed in fize and fhape, but having no refem- 

 blance to thofe of the plume, for which reafon they have got the name of 

 diffimilar leaves » 



Thefe diffimilar leaves defend the young plume from the injuries of the 

 weather, and at the fame time, by abforbing dew, air, &c. affift the tender 

 radicle in nourifhing theplume, with which they haveftill a connection by 

 means of the feminal root. But, when the radicle or fecond root has de- 

 fcended deep enough into the earth, and has acquired a fufficicnt number 

 of filaments or branches for abforbing as much aliment as is proper for 

 the growth of the plume, then the feminal or diffimilar leaves, their uti- 

 lity being entirely fuperfeded, begin to decay and fall ofi^. 



Thus we fee, that as the egg contained not merely the foetus of an ani^ 

 mal, but a portion of nouriihment fuitable to its powers, whereby it was 

 fuftained, and capable offupportinglifeaconfiderabletime; fo the feed con- 

 tains a portion of matter fitted to nourifh the nafcent root, capable of be- 

 coming part of it, and of fupportingit till its own powers were competent db 



4 . tli*C 



