184 Distribution of Inorganic Matter in Vegetables. [April, 



to obtain much light on this point, by an inspection of the grow- 

 ino-, or from an inspection of a section, of the vegetable. Indeed, 

 the thinnest slicings or cuttings do not permit us to observe the 

 inorganic matter at all. When, however, a thin slice of wood is 

 carefully burned, the ash which remains will often maintain its 

 place. When this is the case, it will be observed that the parti- 

 cles of ash are arranged in a net-work, and actually form a frail 

 skeleton in the wood. So it would appear from this observation, 

 that the inorganic matter is actually organized, forming by itself a 

 basis upon which the organic matter is built, or in which it is de- 

 posited. In other words, the inorganic matter of a vegetable is 

 perfectly analagous to that of the animal. Bone is formed of a 

 net-work or tissue of phosphate and carbonate of lime. It is 

 precisely the same in the vegetable; a large proportion of the phos- 

 phate and organic salt of lime is disposed in a reticulated skele- 

 ton; only in the vegetable the amount of carbonaceous matter 

 greatly exceeds in proportion that of the anim.al. 



The analogy between the condition of the inorganic matter in 

 the two kingdoms, does not fail here. In vegetables, the juices or 

 sap carry the most soluble materials: some of these never become a 

 part of the structure forming the skeleton of the plant. Chlorine, 

 sulphuric acid, soda and potash, probably never enter into the 

 structure here referred to, although they form an essential part of 

 the seed. They are the more insoluble matters, as the phosphates 

 of lime, and an organic salt of lime, which form the skeleton or 

 frame-work just referred to. 



The inorganic matter then exists in vegetables in two states: 

 in one it is fixed, and forms a species of skeleton, upon and around 

 which the organic matters are deposited; in the other it forms a 

 part of the circulating current, which permeates the whole vege- 

 table tissue. The latter, when a tree is felled, will be found in 

 the interstices of the plant, and lodging at the point where it is 

 carried by the circulating fluids, when they cease to flow. 



11. The solid inorganic structure of animals, it is well known, 

 are by no means fixed and permanent, but undergo a change by 

 absorption and a deposition of new matter. In vegetables, how- 

 ever, it appears that though the old inorganic matter may be re- 

 moved by absorption, still it is by no means as probable that it is 

 ever renewed or replaced. This will appear from the observa- 

 tions which are to follow. Hence it appears that the vital ener- 

 gies or powers are spent in the renewal of the individual, and in 

 the production of the species; while the old individuals forming 

 the heart wood, are left to decay. This internal decay affects but 

 slightly the vigor of the tree; though the observation requires 

 modification, inasmuch as some trees, as the pines, rarely become 

 hollow before their vitality is nearly extinguished. 



