20 VEGETABLE LIFE. 



could be ripened and dispersed. We have also in- 

 stances of many Icosandrious plants whose stamina 

 are extremely delicate, and which flower early in 

 spring. May this not be attributed to a law of nature, 

 which, by bringing- out the flowers early, secures them 

 from the effects of ardent sunshine ? The night- 

 flowering Cereus is a remarkable instance of flowers 

 of attenuated structure shunning the scorching effect? 

 of the sun. 



Vegetable life exists in a twofold state, viz. that in 

 which it is dormant, as has already been alluded to, 

 and that in which it is actively swelling the cellular 

 apparatus containing it into greater volume. The 

 wood and inner layers of bark are said to be alive so 

 long as they share any of the rising sap, or act organ- 

 ically in its conduction, notwithstanding the actual 

 vitality has long left them. The living principle 

 is always found between the wood and liber. It 

 is, we are led to imagine, a distinct member of 

 the plant ; and as such will be described, when the 

 other members of the system come under review. 

 Suffice it to add here, that this member is the foun- 

 tain of life and organisation ; and so long as it re- 

 mains possessed of its essential sap, it is capable of 

 expansion and reproduction of every constitutional 

 member of the plant. 



Besides the swelling motion of vegetables there 

 are other motions, which may be called accidental and 

 extraordinary. Accidental motions are those occa- 

 sioned by the state of the soil or weather. When 



