78 The Vegetable Individual in its relation to Species. 
After having in the foregoing review regarded all lateral shoots 
which spring from the main axis of the plant as real individuals, 
however uvimportant a fraction of the total specific character 
they may realize, it will hardly be deemed surprising if we 
finally apply this mode of view to the branches of the root and 
to adventitious shoots. It is only possible for the main-shoot to 
develop freely both the points of vegetation of the axis; yet 
even here the lower point remains undeveloped. On the con- 
trary, the lateral shoots, thus far considered, have no lower point 
of vegetation; for their base is united to the maternal shoot, and 
hence they are mere developments of the upper point of vegeta- 
tion. Op; to these, there are, however, other shoots by 
which the lower point of vegetation is represented, and which on 
the other hand have no upper point of vegetation. Among these 
may be reckoned not only the root-branches which take their rise 
from the main root, but also all adventitious roots which spring 
from the stem at determinate or indeterminate places. I must, 
however, content myself with this general hint, as any attempt 
to particularize these relations could after all only show the defi- 
ciency of the investigations iuto this subject, and how desirable 
a more comprehensive work is on root-formation in the vegetable 
kingdom. 
The few points which I have selected out of the inexhausti- 
ble field of shoot-formation in the vegetable kingdom may in the 
mean time suffice to show that the comparison of the vegetable 
shoot with the animal individual is not far-fetched or arbitrary, 
but is presented to us by Nature herself. The solution of the 
difficulties which this mode of conceiving the vegetable individ- 
ual encounters in the lowest grades of the vegetable kingdom, | 
must defertoalaterday. These difficulties are founded upon the 
less complete organization of the inferior plants, and at all events” 
cannot invalidate the results gained in considering the higher or- 
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