77 



ON THE ROOTS OF PLANTS. 



To give life and motion to the seeds of plants, 

 a certain portion of water, and of oxygene or 

 vital air, and a degree of heat of about 50 Fa- 

 renheit, is necessary. A seed being placed in 

 the earth under these circumstances, it imme- 

 diately absorbs moisture, and gradually swells | 

 to the extent of its shell, or skin, when the / 

 radicle, or first root, protrudes itself, and in \ 

 whatever position the seed be placed, assumes / 

 a perpendicular direction, and gradually makes \ , 

 its way downwards into the soil ; and the germeiT. } 

 also assumes a perpendicular position, and grows , 

 upwards. A great number of experiments have 

 been made to ascertain the peculiar principles, 

 which influence and give direction to the first 

 rudiments of plants, and many are recited by 

 Sir H. Davy ; but whether the first inclinations 

 of a plant be considered as instinctive, or whe- 

 ther, by the influence of any peculiar principle, 

 > the root is impelled forward into the earth, is 

 of trifling importance to the practical agricul- 

 turist : and whether it may be accounted for on 

 the principles of gravitation, or attraction, it is 



