Hetrospective Criticism. 313 



premature formation of blossom buds is a curious, and rather unaccountable 

 phenomenon ; because, it is naturally supposed, and by many believed, that 

 all the diiFerent essential organs of a healthy tree are constantly in exist- 

 ence, and in a course of regular and successive developement when the ex- 

 ternal circumstances of light, air, and maturity of wood are present. But 

 (without stopping to enumerate the different kinds of fruit trees which pro- 

 duce their fructiferous shoots and perfect their blossom buds in one year, 

 and those which usually require two or more years in the formation of their 

 leaf buds into those bearing flowers) we have here a description of buds, 

 which M. Fintelmann knows or fears would be leaf buds, changed by his 

 management into those which will be fruitful ; showing, that by such prac- 

 tice, an internal transformation, or additional formation takes place, not 

 easily accounted for. 



Without any application of art, we often see flower |)uds formed on the 

 points of the healthiest shoots of young apple and pear trees, as soon as the 

 rampant summer growth is over, these are called by Harrison (Vol. III. 

 Art. I.)," natural fruit buds ;" and some instances we have of fruit buds, called 

 " embryo buds " by the same writer, which would not blossom till next year, 

 forced into flower in this, especially if any accident from frost or insect pre- 

 vents the senior buds from perfecting their fruit. This shows that in some cases 

 the fructiferous organs are in a state of previous existence and preparation 

 before expansion. And in the case of a forced or premature formation of 

 the fructive principle, we are driven to conjecture whether there be two 

 constituent crescive elements, and that, while one is in full motion in the pro- 

 duction and expansion of wood and leaves, the other invisibly follows^ till 

 the first becomes stagnant, and then the second is protruded into form and 

 view. Or, it may be, that in the case of this kind of cherry, its spur-bear- 

 ing habit may be changed by art into the peculiar property of its congener, 

 the Morella. M. Fintelmann has also, like our countryman Street, dis- 

 covered that recent vegetable matter, i. e. old sawdust, and chopped moss, 

 mixed with some powdered unburnt lime, is a suitable compost, and may 

 be used successfully in forcing cherries. 



I am quite aware that some learned and most profound physiologists get 

 over this difficulty by asserting that the prepared sap is what they call 

 " organisable ; " that is, capable of forming itself, or being formed, into all 

 and every part, organ, shape, colour, or quality composing the plant by 

 which it has itself been produced ; and that it becomes indifferently bark, 

 timber, shoots, leaves, flowers, or fruit, accordingly as external agents are 

 more or less prevalent. If this really be so, then all the science of botanical 

 physiology lies in a nut-shell, and all the ordinary, as well as extraordinary, 

 processes or changes in the vegetable kingdom, may be by this discovery 

 solved without hesitation or doubt. — J. A. M. Feb. 1828. 



Dutrochefs Botanical Physiology. (Vol. III. p. 78.) — This inquisitive 

 and highly talented naturalist has made some ingenious additions to our 

 stock of physiological knowledge. His illustration of the absorbent spon- 

 gioles of the roots, which he discovered by microscopic examination, is 

 curious as well as original. Besides a minute description of the tubular and 

 circular structure of the stems of plants, with their respective uses, he also 

 has discovered imbibing or attractive powers in their constituent juices j 

 detects electricity as an agent in the motion of the fluids ; and, in the whole, 

 delineates a very beautiful theory, which may be faithful, but is not 

 simple, founded on fact, but obscured by technicality; and it is to be 

 feared that many will apply your own remark, not less excellent than true, 

 with which you close your literary notices ( Vol. III. p. 89.), viz. " many 

 branches of knowledge at present are rendered obscure by a multiplicity 

 of words, and by mystical doctrines," &c. — Id. 



Journal d' Agiiculture. (Vol. III. p. 84.) — On the Culture of Tobacco* 

 This you recommend to the notice of the British farmer, but it is not likely 



