ORGANIC STRUCTURE. 87 



averred, first, from the circumstance, that in the large 

 bulb-like seeds of some of the Monocotyledonece, a 

 considerable portion of the infant plant is distinctly 

 visible on dissection, and the reason we see so little 

 in these, and especially in small seed, is only owing 

 to our limited powers of sight, and limited means of 

 assisting those powers. Secondly, the seeds of 

 Dioecious plants are male and female, and to the 

 experienced eye are detectible before germination, 

 especially in the genus Cannabis ; which is a proof 

 that neither the sexes nor other specific form of 

 the plant depend on any fortuitous combination of 

 vegetable elements when not deranged by cultivation. 

 Besides, the general resemblance of the parents and 

 progeny from generation to generation among plants 

 in a state of nature, is indubitable proof that the 

 seeds inherit the rudiments of a perfect form, how- 

 ever diminutive, from the first. 



The structure and components of seeds have 

 already been noticed as consisting of various cover- 

 ings, inclosing the cotyledons and infant plant. When 

 germination takes place these coverings, intended for 

 the preservation of the vitality during the inert state 

 of the seed, are burst asunder, to allow the protrusion 

 of the root, the cotyledons, and stem. 



The Root. Is first a blunt spur-like body, taper- 

 ing as it descends into the earth, and exserting from 

 its sides slender fibres, which are the receptive organs 

 that collect the pabulum of the plant. These fibres 

 are said to have a contractile power, by which they 

 are withdrawn from dry air, and extended again into 



