Vegetable Pathology. 397 



variety of other circumstances, equally affecting the animal 

 and vegetable world, and drawing their analogy still closer 

 the more they are investigated, appear to point to similar 

 treatment ; and thus, if remedies were applied to the diseases 

 of the vegetable world, occasioned by any of these inter- 

 ruptions to their natural growth, health, and perfection, and 

 arising from similar causes to those which affect the animal 

 kingdom, the pathology of vegetables might afford a materia 

 medica for horticultural practice. 



In order that I may not be misunderstood, and subject 

 myself undeservedly to the sneers of the ignorant and incre- 

 dulous, I will shortly point out in what the animal and vege- 

 table world so essentially agree ; and in another letter show 

 how very much the diseases of both resemble one another in 

 their origin and effect, and how a similar treatment might 

 be attended with successful results. 



Nature has been divided into three kingdoms, animal, 

 vegetable, and mineral. Animals are so called from anima, 

 the breath. Vegetables, not having breath, but merely growth, 

 are so called from vigeo, to grow. Of animals, man holds a 

 distinct and preeminent superiority, chiefly, if not solely, occa- 

 sioned by his being distinguished from the brute creation by 

 the soul, by whose agency all his actions are governed, and 

 the material part of him refined and purified. In what, then, 

 consists the difference between man, animals, and vegetables ? 

 Principally in this : man is composed of soul, mind, and body ; 

 an animal, of mind and body ; and a vegetable, of body only. If 

 this distinction be kept in view, we shall see that vegetables 

 differ no more from animals, than animals do from man; 

 and that the highest order of vegetables is, if any thing, 

 nearer to the lowest order of animals, both in formation and 

 functions, than the highest order of animals is to man in his 

 wild and savage state. In almost every thing where the 

 influence of mind takes no part, and which is conducted with- 

 out its aid, the animal and vegetable kingdom resemble each 

 other in a most extraordinary degree. Each are endued with 

 instinct, by which they are compelled to involuntary actions 

 adapted to their respective natures, wants, and dispositions : 

 the animal, for its self-preservation, for the continuance of 

 its species, and for the protection and provision of its young ; 

 the vegetable, for the perfecting of its seed, for its sustenance 

 by its roots, and for the purpose of deriving the necessary 

 benefit of light and moisture. If any impediment stands in 

 -the way of these involuntary actions, they both surmount the 

 obstacle by powers inherent and unfelt by them ; and it is 

 only when the powers of the brain are called into action, oper 



