DR. DARWIN. 4H 



the fubjecl: did not induce her to read it 

 regularly. Incompetent therefore to declared 

 opinion as her pemfal may have been, it has 

 yet convinced her that in parts, at leaft, it 

 is highly ingenious. Dr. Darwin's convic- 

 tion that vegetables are remote links in the 

 chain of fentient exiftence, often hinted in 

 the notes to the Botanic Garden, is here 

 avowed as a regular fyftem. The Phyto- 

 logia infifts that plants have vital organiz- 

 ation, fenfation, and even volition ; and a 

 number of inftances are adduced, which 

 feem firmly to fupport the theory. Cer- 

 tainly thofe appear to fleep which clofc 

 their petals at -fun-fet, and unfold them in 

 the riiing day. Dr. Darwin tells us that 

 plants poflefs low heat and cold blood, like 

 winter-fleeping animals, and like them 

 continue the defcending fcale of exiftence. 

 From this theory of vegetable fenfation 

 fome good may proceed, and no evil can 



flow, 



