6ECT. II. VEGETATION. # 



more or less freely, or altered according to its vari- 

 ous modes of percolation, or straining. 



WATEK appears to have much to do in the sub- 

 sistence of plants, for they consume a great deal; 

 and either die, or are at a stand, when they are de- 

 prived of it, or at least of humidity from the air. 

 It is proved, that seeds and plants, and in short all 

 substances, consist chiefly of water, being reducible 

 to liquids in a great degree. 



Water (with respect to vegetation) has been de- 

 fined to be, a mixed fluid, in which are all sorts of 

 particles proper for the composition of plants. 

 Rooted trees have been set in water at the spring, 

 (as a rose) and put forth leaves fair, though pale ; 

 and it is well known, that many slips and branches 

 .of plants will strike root in water readily: and ga- 

 thered flowers not only keep fresh in it, but increase 

 in size, and buds alsq open. Hyacinths are very 

 commonly blown in water in warm rooms for an 

 early show. All seeds will germinate, and some 

 continue to grow in it. 



The natural state of water uninfluenced by heat 

 is ice, and when very cold, it is too dense a fluid to 

 pass through some of the capillary vessels of plants; 

 yet a small degree of heat rarifies it ; and as its glo- 

 bules are capable of being infinitely divided by a 

 proportionate heat; it is thus rendered tit to pass 

 through the finest canals. It mixes with the nutri- 

 tive properties that may be lodged in the earth, and 

 is (at least) the vehicle of the food of plants. In 

 this respect alone, water is most valuable; and with- 

 out it, nothing could be elaborated in nature, no fer- 

 mentation wrought, and animals and plants would 

 4ie of thirst \ 



