Reviews. — Lindlexfs Theory of Horticulture. 19 



other external forces; it is therefore peculiarly susceptilile of injury 

 or benefit from the nccidental circnmstances that may surround it; 

 and, having- no free agency, it is above all other created beings suited 

 to acknowledge the i)o\ver of man. 



The vital actions of plants have so little resemblance to those of 

 animals, that we are unable to appreciate their nature, in even the 

 smallest degree, by a reference to our own sensations, or to any 

 knowledge we may possess of animal functions. Nor, when we 

 have thoroughly studied the phenomena of vegetation, are we able to 

 discover any analogies, exce|)t of a general and theoretical nature, 

 between the animal and vegetable kingdoms. It is therefore neces- 

 sary that plants should be studied by themselves, as an abstract 

 branch of investigation, without attem[)ting to reason as to their 

 habits from what we know of other organic beings; and consequently 

 we are not, in this part of Natural History, to acknowleilge any the- 

 ory vvliich is n(jt founde<l u[)on direct ex[)eriment, and proved by the 

 most satisfactory course of inquiry. 



Then succeed several chapters treating of Germination, 

 Growth by the Root, Growth by the Stem, Action of the 

 Leaves, Action of the Flowers, JMaturation of the Fruit, &c. 

 After perusing these and admiring the economy of tlieir 

 physiology, we begin to imbibe a more respectful considera- 

 tion for each living vegetable structure; and to trace in the 

 meanest floret or the most homely fruit, something deeper 

 and more mysterious than hitherto met our eye. We feel 

 greatly indebted to such minds as those of Lindley, and De 

 Candolle, and Richard, for such revelations of so much beauty 

 and exquisite perfection. The mazes of natiu'e into which they 

 introduce us, and through which they lead us by actual ex- 

 periment, are perceptible equally in the most insignificant as 

 in the most gigantic; and we cherish a love for sucji pursuits, 

 which prove that " the primrose on the river's brim" is veri- 

 tably something more — nmch more than a yellow primrose: 

 yea, even the ingenious workmanship of a Divine hand! 



Thiis, too, the j)ursuit of any branch of the natural sciences 

 begets a sjiirit of fascinating interest, which grows on us in- 

 sensibly more and more. This we see in the zeal and ardor 

 of those distinguished men whose whole lives have been spent 

 in jthe investigations of organized matter. The rapid strides, 

 which these studies have effected in modern times, have caus- 

 ed such investigations to be turned to a good account. No 

 longer is the inquiry instituted, "of what good are these?" 

 but to the comfort and luxury of society, to those substantial 

 and tangible results, which address the wants of the body as 

 well as of the mind, all such pursuits are tending. Vegetable 



