8 INTRODUCTION. 



The above account of vegetable structure is but a general 

 description, without entering into the almost endless variation 

 of shape, size, or texture, that each part assumes in different 

 plants. Leaves, for example, are distinguished by their shape 

 the cuts upon their edges the difference of their points their 

 manner of growth the nature of their surface, and very many 

 other particulars, each of which is known by an appropriate 

 name, such as long, downy, stalked or toothed. In like man- 

 ner, the stem may be solid or hollow, square or round, hairy or 

 smooth, &c. The roots, calyces, corollas, and other parts, are 

 equally subject to variation; or one of them may be entirely 

 absent. Thus many plants are stemless ; others without leaves. 

 Some have no calyx or corolla, and whole tribes have neither 

 nectary, stipule, bract, nor any other appendage. The stamens 

 and pistils are, however, never absent, as without them no seed 

 could be produced ; and as all plants arise from seed, so their 

 absence would imply the extinction, at no very distant period, 

 of all such defective races. Instead of this being likely to 

 arise, we see that the whole existence of a vegetable is a series 

 of the most wonderful contrivances for the production of seed, 

 similar to that from which it sprung. The wonders of form 

 and function do not even cease here. It is proper that that seed 

 should be scattered around in places suited to its growth, should 

 be defended from casual injury, and should be assisted in its 

 first germination, while as yet the plant is too young and feeble 

 to gather its own food. All these necessities are fully provided 

 for, and in a manner which calls for our highest admiration, as 

 so many instances of that Divine intelligence, which, by such 

 simple means, can form so endless a variety of perfect and 

 beautiful objects, and distribute them over the earth for the 

 benefit of animals of a still higher organization. 



[The details of vegetable structure and organization, as well as botanical 

 classification and geography, are fully explained in the Author's "GRAMMAR 

 OF BOTANY," price 4s.] 



