NATURAL HISTORY. 41 



and respiratory organs, by which a circulation, is 

 kept up, secretions are effected, superfluous parts 

 removed, and atmospherical air absorbed and 

 expired as it may suit the growth of the plant, or 

 answer some general purpose in the economy of 

 nature; when we find that plants, like animals, 

 possess life and are liable to accidents by which 

 the vital principle may be destroyed, as well as 

 the means of perpetuation to almost an indefinite 

 degree ; and when our every day's observation 

 inform us of the comprehensive uses to which 

 the vegetable kingdom is applied, whether for 

 the support, conveniences, or luxuries of man, 

 for the subsistence and continuance of other ani- 

 mals, or to contribute to the general benefit of the 

 globe which we inhabit, we shall then indeed ; 

 have a wild field for contemplation and enquiry : 

 our minds will at once be awakened to the im- 

 portance of the subject, and we shall enter upon 

 it with that deep interest and zeal, those high 

 feelings of reverence and admiration, and that 

 anxious curiosity to examine the works of the 

 creation, which so noble a theme is calculated to 

 inspire. 



To describe the structure of plants, the uses of 

 each particular part, and the means which nature 

 employs to promote their growth, maturity, 

 decay, and renovation, belongs to the province 

 of physiology, which it was my most anxious 

 wish to have entered upon, as being a subject 



