DEFINITIONS AND DESCRIPTIONS. 



57 



cut down, because the nourishment in the roots has nothing 

 to absorb it, and hence it forces up branches for this purpose. 



In all these cases, as well as in those of budding and graft- 

 ing, the principle is the same ; " the vital points," are placed 

 under fitting conditions of air, moisture and temperature, and 

 they become converted into new individuals. Even the leaf 

 is capable of forming buds and of continuing the species ; each 

 according to the great law of organized beings, propagates its 

 own species ; and in all cases but one the same variety of the 

 species. The seed only preserves the same species. 



The propagation of plants, by their pjg xq 



several organs, shows the bountiful pro- 

 vision of nature to secure the continu- 

 ance of the species. The vital points 

 are the same, whether found in the 

 seed, bulb, bud or leaf The different 

 organs, as has been shown by Goethe, 

 are only developments of one simple 

 germ. The leaf buds, (Fig. 10,) 

 scales, blossoms, stamens, pistils, fruit 

 and branches are only a development 

 from one simple structure. The germ 

 is converted into roots or stems, or any other organ ; hence 

 we should expect to find the vital points or eyes in all the or- 

 gans, as they are, in fact, the same organ under different 

 forms, and are easily transformed into each other. We see 

 these transformations going on around us. In the cultivated 

 roses, the stamens become petals. In the pofentilla nepalensis 

 the flowers change into branches, and the sepals, petals and 

 stamens are converted into leaves. 



Sect. 3. Definitions. — Conditions of the Growth of Plants. 



1. Soil. Soil is decomposed or crumbled rock, mingled with 

 a certain portion of animal and vegetable matter, called humus, 

 or vegetable mould. 



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