on the Formation of Organic Structure. 189 



it is the one which, for a short period previous to the expan- 

 sion of the leaves, is most inclined to bleed. Such a plant 

 now comes within my immediate observation. In October, 

 this vine was in a torpid condition ; it was then removed 

 from a small pot into a large one, containing a rich soil, 

 composed of chopped turf, the earthy part of which was a 

 sandy loam. This turf was manured with half-decayed dung 

 of poultry, and rendered more light by a small portion of lime 

 rubbish. The vine was placed in a house where the average 

 temperature is, and has been for the last six weeks, about 

 55°. The soil is kept moist to saturation with rain water ; 

 insomuch, that a pan under the pot has generally more or 

 less of water that has filtrated into it. Once a week this vine 

 receives, in addition, a pint or more of soap-suds ; or manured 

 water, from the drainings of a cow-stall, diluted with an 

 equal part of water. This liquor consists of urine, holding 

 some cow manure in solution : the former contains much 

 ammonia, and the latter a good deal of bile, besides a variety 

 of saline and hydro-carbonous compounds. It is not, how- 

 ever, my present object to investigate these matters chemi- 

 cally, but simply to evince that, notwithstanding the richness 

 of the compost soil in the first instance, and the occasional 

 application of a stimulating liquid, the water which perco- 

 lates the mould into the pan appears to be deprived of all 

 soluble matters whatsoever, and it is colourless, void of taste, 

 odour, and, indeed, of any quality that could lead one to 

 suppose that such highly fetid and sapid ingredients are 

 repeatedly superadded to the soil. 



Now, what conclusion can be drawn from the foregoing 

 statement of simple facts ? None other, surely, than this : 

 that not only all the soluble and decomposable animal and 

 vegetable matters that were originally introduced, but every 

 separable part of whatever has subsequently been added to 

 the soil, are arrested by it, and retained in close contact with 

 the roots of the plant. So situated, if solid matters could by 

 any possibility be taken up by, or propelled into, the absorb- 

 ent vessels of the roots, they should be found in the ascending 

 sap of the plant : and yet, when I had occasion to prune off a 

 projecting piece of wood just above an expanding bud of the 

 leader, the juice that exuded in drops was as limpid, as 

 colourless, and nearly as insipid, as pure water itself. The 

 leading buds have at this period produced two fine strong 

 shoots, with perfect and healthy foliage : and, thus, nearly 

 4- ft. in length of oxy-hydro-carbonous solid substances have 

 been adde^ to the plant, by the agency (as far, at least, as 



