<i Bibliography. 
of plants, if we compare them with analogous relations in animal life, 
We are not, however, able to trace in them a higher sense, under- 
standing, or free will.’ as . 4 
“With the preceding is immediately connected a memoir by M. v. 
Martius,* which treats of the immortality of plants. The idea of the 
immortality of plants is the next step to the proof of the existence of 
a vegetable soul; but M. v. Martius himself observes, in the introduc- 
tion, that it is true that many scientific men, to whom the power of 
comprehending the transcendental has been imparted in a lower de- 
gree, will regard the consideration of such a subject as a digression; 
he however believes that the greater part of mankind are so organ- 
ized, that they will adopt conclusions, and acquiesce in consequences, 
which rise above the world of sensible contemplations and percep- 
tions into the higher world of the spirit. The conviction of the im- 
mortality of plants can however in no case be deduced from any proof 
derived from the nature of plants, but it must be peculiarly the con- 
ception of the individual mind. y sas 
“In the corporeal life of the plant there exist intention, tendency, 
and means for their attainment; nay, we even see this controlled by 
the fitness of time, in the same’ way as in more highly endowed man. 
The plant, like the animal, has inward intentions to fufil outwardly, 
which the plant exhibits in action during its whole life. We do there- 
fore an injustice to the plant when we consider it as not being; like 
the animal, endowed with a common primary force, penetrating thr ug 
all parts, and directing them all to certain actions. From these views 
however, it would result, that all inorganic bodies are also & owed 
with a soul, a thought which has been already asserted in the most 
ancient times ; nay, Von Martius arrives at the conclusion, that every 
thing earthly, and therefore also the plant, possesses a soul, and the 
numberless fraternity of similar creatures, which act so prominent @ 
part in the universal life of our planet, are, according to their scale, 
governed by a soft, peaceful spirit, an Anima blandula trepidula.” 
4. The Journal of Botany, &c.; by Sir Wm. J. Hooxer, LL Dy 
&c.— We some time since noticed the resumption of this periodical 
Journal, and gave a list of the contents of the first two numbers, - 
iol oo er 
* L. c. p. 261—286. 
