260 VEGETABLE ORGANOGRAPHY. 



BOOK IV. 



OF THE ACCESSORY ORGANS ; OR, OF THE MODIFICA- 

 TIONS OF THE FUNDAMENTAL ORGANS, WHICH 

 RENDER THEM CAPABLE OF SERVING AS THE 

 MEANS OF PROTECTION FOR THE OTHER ORGANS, 

 OR OF FULFILLING OTHER ACCESSORY USES. 



In Book I. we have described the elementary organs 

 common to all plants ; in Book II. we treated of the 

 fundamental organs of plants, that is to say, of those 

 which constitute their framework, serve for their nu- 

 trition, &c. ; and in Book III. we have followed the 

 numerous modifications of the fundamental organs as 

 regards their transformation into reproductive ones. 

 It now remains for us to point out other modifications 

 of the fundamental organs both of those destined for 

 the nutrition, properly so called, and of those which 

 seem intended for reproduction : from these modifications 

 results their transformation into organs very different 

 from those from which they are derived ; they become 

 suited for new uses, which are almost all related either 

 to the support, defence, or protection of the organs 

 essentially destined to nourish or multiply the individual. 

 It is to indicate this less degree of importance, and this, 

 as it were, subordinate function, that I have given them 

 collectively the name of Accessory Organs. I have 

 already made some slight mention of them when speaking 

 of the organs from which they are derived ; I shall now 

 describe their origin, form, and use. It is in these 

 different points of view that I shall speak of Thorns, 

 Tendrils, and of the different foliaceous, fleshy, petaloid, 

 and scaly expansions of plants. 



