320 CONCLUSION. 



persons, or remarkable events. But these are of no 

 value as timber ; nor ought the growing, or even the 

 possession of very large trees to be an object of ambi- 

 tion with the mere profitable planter. 



The strength and durability of oak is said to be 

 always in proportion to the quickness of its growth. 

 But in the case of Scotch, and, perhaps, other pines, 

 the reverse is the consequence. 



CONCLUSION. 



IN the foregoing pages, it has been endeavoured 

 to present a plain and concise view of the various 

 structure, functions, and properties of plants. The 

 most ostensible and strongly marked characteristics 

 have only been regarded, because these are what are 

 chiefly required to be known in the business of the 

 cultivator. The writer is well aware, that, by close 

 study and the assistance of a powerful microscope, 

 more correct descriptions and precise representations 

 of the elementary matter, motions of the fluids, and 

 connection of the organisation might be given ; and, 

 moreover, if chemical knowledge were employed in 

 the study of vegetable physiology, many discoveries 

 might be made, which would illustrate the causes of 

 the change of colour, manner of accretion, and some 

 of the diseases to which plants, or parts of plants, are 



