298 ON THE DEGENERATION 



Third class of diseases arises from contusions or other 

 external injury. 



The accidental loss of their leaves, from whatever cause 

 it may proceed, must be considered as a disease of plants: 

 if it is not the effect, it is the cause of one ; for when the 

 sap rises to the branches, and finds no organs to elaborate 

 its juices, it descends almost in the same state in which 

 it rose, a thin crude fluid, little adapted to the nourishment 

 of the stem and branches. Under these circumstances, 

 its only resource is to feed and develope young shoots, 

 which Nature intended should sprout only the following 

 year. The sap is then elaborated in the leaves of the new 

 shoot, is converted into cambium, and the regular circu- 

 lation is restored. 



Emily. How wonderfully prolific Nature is in resour- 

 ces to remedy any accidental interruption to her regular 

 progress ! One would almost imagine the sap to be en- 

 dowed with a sort of instinct, when we find that it is no 

 sooner disappointed in meeting with those organs requi- 

 site to its perfection, than abandoning its natural course, 

 it busies itself in feeding and prematurely forcing into veg- 

 etation the organs which are deficient. 



Mrs. B. This admirable fund of resources springs from 

 an origin far superior to instinct. Its immediate cause is, 

 it is true, probably either mechanical or chemical. The 

 sap, for instance, cannot deposit the various juices re- 

 quired by the different organs, when a deficiency of leaves 

 prevents these juices from being secreted. In its imma- 

 ture state it is, in all probability, better able to supply the 

 elements required for the vegetation of buds ; and thus the 

 young shoots are prematurely forced into life. The mere 

 mechanical philosopher will rest satisfied with this expla- 

 nation ; but if to the reflecting mind be added a feeling 

 heart, he will discover that the beneficent Author of na- 

 ture has so admirably regulated the laws by which it is 

 governed, that they frequently find in themselves means 

 of supplying remedies and resources against accidental 

 contingencies. 



Caroline. This is, indeed, admirable. In a work of hu- 

 man mechanism, however ingeniously contrived or skillful- 



1608. And of the loss of leaves'? 1609. How is the regular circula- 

 tion restored 1 1610. Emily almost thinks the sap is endowed with a 

 sort of instinct what is the reply of Mrs. B.I 1611. What compari- 

 son is made between the mechanical philosopher and the feeling heart in 

 relation to this subject! 



