CHAPTER IX. 



GENERAL REVIEW OF THE NUTRITIVE PROCESSES IN PLANTS. 



315. THE functions of the several organs concerned in the 

 Nutrition and Growth of the plant, having now been separately 

 described, it next becomes desirable to take a general review of 

 the whole ; and to trace the connection between their respective 

 actions, and to point out their bearing on the object of the whole 

 of this beautifully-arranged system. When we look at a well- 

 ordered household, we observe that the actions and duties of 

 each member of it are planned and arranged by the heads of the 

 family, so as to accord with their respective qualifications, and at 

 the same time to conduce to the comfort and happiness of the 

 whole ; and the more completely this is accomplished, the greater 

 is the harmony and regularity with which the labours of the 

 whole are performed, the less is the liability to interrup- 

 tion, arising either from the caprice or incapacity of any of the 

 labourers. And in proportion to the completeness with which 

 this end is gained, do we think highly of the wisdom of those 

 who have studied and executed the means of attaining it. 



316. Now the economy* of the Vegetable is precisely analo- 

 gous to that of such a household. The whole structure is com- 

 posed of a number of different organs or members, having different 

 parts to perform in the general scheme ; and these parts QIC func- 

 tions are so beautifully adjusted together, that, in every variety 

 of circumstances in which the being is liable to be placed, they 

 shall still be executed in harmony, and with one common pur- 

 pose. Thus we have seen that one organ pumps up the required 



* This word literally signifies household-law ; and in this sense it is applied 

 in physiology, to designate the regular harmonious system, on which the actions of 

 living plants and animals are performed. 



