Steuarfs Planter's Guide. 125 



habit and figure, for the AUanton system. The reviewer 

 therefore, pertinently asks, " where is the planter to find such 

 trees as are proper for being transplanted ? " Sir Henry re- 

 plies, " that there are few properties, however small in extent, 

 or unimproved by plantations, which do not possess some 

 subjects endowed, perfectly or nearly so, with the protectino- 

 qualities. The open groves, and scattered trees around old 

 cottages, or in old hedge-rows, where not raised by an em- 

 bankment, which gives the roots a determination downwards, 

 are invaluable to the transplanter. They are already inured 

 to the climate, and are fit for removal." 



On Sir Henry's physiological averments the reviewer has 

 also expatiated freely. And here I wish to be respectfully 

 cautious, lest I should appear to be looking for " spots on the 

 sun;" but such impertinence I disclaim. I regret, however, 

 that I am, as many practical men are, compelled to conclude 

 that some matters may be over-sublimated in the scientific 

 retort. In p. 329. et seq., the reviewer seems to have shot a 

 httle beyond his text, and strained it in his exposition. Some- 

 thing like sentience and volition are, I humbly conceive, im- 

 properly attributed to plants. Trees are said to clothe them- 

 selves with a thicker bark, stouter stem, &c., when the real fact 

 is, that this thicker clothing is produced by the action of the 

 air and light. In endeavours to illustrate any part of an ob- 

 scure science, the significant terminology of that science only 

 should be used, as Sir Henry has wisely done : but terms such 

 as drawing, sucking, searching, pumping, &c., all implying 

 self-action, are quite out^^e when applied to beings altogether 

 ^passive ; and though the practical reader may make a shift 

 to comprehend the import, and though generally such terms 

 may be only considered as words of course, yet they are liable 

 to puzzle and distract the novice. In page 329., line 19. 

 from the top, a misprint of the word " latter " instead of " for- 

 mer," may also tend to mystify this otherwise pretty clear phy- 

 siological lecture. 



It only remains for me to mention the expense of such 

 achievements, and this I shall take from the Review. 



" The committee of the Highland Society who were ap- 

 pointed to examine the improvement in AUanton Park, remark, 

 that the transplantation of grown trees belongs to the fine 

 arts, rather than those which have had chrect and simple 

 utility for their object, and the return is to be expected rather 

 in pleasure than in actual profit. 



" Value, no doubt, every proprietor acquires, when he con- 

 verts a bare common into a clothed, sheltered park. But 



