456 ORGANOLOGY. 



in a less striking degree. We are at present only acquainted with some 

 of the results of this alternation, of which we shall speak under the phe- 

 nomena of motion. 



The influence exerted by the changes of weather is less understood. 

 Those tribes of plants which are most especially dependant upon atmo- 

 spheric influence, as Mosses and Lichens, exhibit very evidently the 

 action of moisture. It is also well known, that after a tempest an evident 

 revivification occurs in the vegetable kingdom. But these observations 

 must remain superficial and fragmentary, as it is only recently that the 

 facts of meteorology have assumed a scientific form. On this part of our 

 subject only general remarks could be made, as all special scientific 

 observations are deficient. For example, what changes take place in the 

 contents of the vegetable cells, and what chemical processes pass in them 

 with the approach of winter, how far those processes are affected by 

 warmth, light, and electricity, are all problems which must be solved 

 before we shall have gained even a sure foundation on which to work. 

 The field of investigation lies open before us, but at present it has found 

 but few profound or original cultivators. 



184. Organology embraces the phenomena of life in the whole 

 plant (general organology), and in the individual parts as especial 

 organs (special organology). The life of the entire plant is the 

 result of life in its individual cells ; we shall therefore gain no 

 insight into our subject, and no possibility of explaining it, so long 

 as we are unable to trace back the general results of vitality to their 

 origin in the individual cells. Hitherto, in the absence of a right 

 method of investigation, little has been done. The consideration 

 of this part of organology must, therefore, consist principally in 

 stating correctly the problems involved and the mode of solving 

 them. The same, also, with respect to that part of the science 

 which has its foundation in morphology. There it must be dis- 

 covered what morphologically -similar organs the plant possesses ; 

 here it must be considered how far morphologically-similar organs 

 present also similar phases of the universal life of the cell, and how 

 far they may thereby be converted into physiologically-similar 

 organs. 



Both parts of the subject must be pursued in plants arranged in 

 morphological groups; but such investigation cannot at present be 

 carried on, for all we should get would be a loose mass of super- 

 fluous and valueless paragraphs, for with respect to the gene- 

 rality of plants, and parts of plants, observations are wanting. I 

 shall arrange the study of this subject in the following manner: 

 A. General organology. 1. General phenomena in the life of the 

 entire plant : its life, germination, growth, nutrition, reproduction, 

 death. 2. Special phenomena : the development of warmth and 

 of light, movements. B. Special organology. A. Organs of 

 vegetation : , naked spores ; b, covered spores. B. Organs of 

 reproduction: a, Cryptogamia; b, Phanerogamia. 



If we consider the attempts that have hitherto been made to subject the 

 life of plants to scientific observation, we shall find that all those who have 



