OF NATURAL HISTORY. 51 



a dilFerent ipecies. In all thefe inftances, the portions of 

 the divided animals grow together, and become diftindl in- 

 dividuals. 



Having traced the general analogies between the ftruclure 

 and oeconomy of the animal and vegetable, from the rudi- 

 ments of their exifbence till they have acquired full maturi- 

 ty, and performed the necefTary office of multiplying their 

 fpecies, we proceed to the laft and only melancholy branch 

 of this fubjecSt, the unavoidable decay and death of every fuc- 

 cefhve individual in both kingdoms. 



It is an invariable law of Nature, that all organized bodies 

 fhould have a conftant tendency to difTolution. But the 

 periods of their exiftence vary according to the fpecies. 

 Previous to actual refolution, plants as well as animals are 

 fubject to a number of analogous affections and difeafes. 

 When over-heated, plants fhow evident marks of languor 

 and fatigue : Their leaves become flaccid, their flems and 

 branches bend toward the earth, their juices evaporate, and 

 their whole texture alTumes the appearances of v;eaknefs and 

 decay. The application of too great a degree of cold makes 

 the flowers, the leaves, the bark, and even the woody fibres, 

 fhrivel and contradt in their dimenfions. "When deprived 

 of proper light and air, their colours fade, and they foon ac- 

 quire a lurid and fickly afpe<5l. They are likewife fubje(Sl to 

 be flarved for want of nourifiiment. The growth of plants, 

 as well as that of animals, is checked by fcanty fupplies of 

 food. When the foil or fituation is unkindly, vegetables are 

 always weak and dwarfifh, and their prolific powers are di- 

 miniflied. They may alfo be poifoned by the abforption of 

 fluids hoftile to their conflitutlon. Beflde thefe general af- 

 fedlions, common to the plant and animal, vegetables are in- 

 jured and often killed, by particular difeafes. 



Some difeafes attack the leaves only, imd produce fpots of 

 various colours, rugofities, pufiules, galls, &c. Others are 



