VEGETABLE NUTRITION. 15 



carnivorous animals, which generally hold a 

 higher rank in the scale of organization, than 

 those that subsist only on vegetables. 



Thus has each created being been formed with 

 reference, not merely to its own welfare, but 

 also to that of multitudes of others which are 

 dependent on it for their support, their preser- 

 vation, — nay, even for their existence. In con- 

 templating this mutual relationship, this suc- 

 cessive subordination of the different races to one 

 another, and this continual tendency to increased 

 refinement, we cannot shut our eyes to the mag- 

 nificent unfolding of the great scheme of nature 

 for the progressive attainment of higher objects ; 

 until, in the perfect system, and exalted endow- 

 ments of man, we behold the last result which 

 has been manifested to us of creative power. 



Chapter II. 



NUTRITION IN VEGETABLES. 



§ t . Food of Plants. 



The simplest kind of nutrition is that presented 

 to us by the vegetable kingdom, where water 

 may be considered as the general vehicle of the 

 nutriment received. Before the discoveries of 



