OF NATURAL HISTORY. 41 



Having traced the general analogies between the ftrudure and 

 oeconomy of the animal and vegetable, from the rudiments of their 

 exlftence till they have acquired full maturity, and performed the 

 neceflary office of multiplying their fpecies, we proceed to the laft 

 and only melancholy branch of this fubjecft, the unavoidable decay 

 and death of every fucceffive individual in both kingdoms. 



It is an invariable law of Nature, that all organized bodies fhould 

 have a conftant tendency to diflblution. But the periods of their 

 exiftence vary according to the fpecies. Previous to adual refolu- 

 tion, plants as well as animals are fubjed to a number of analogous 

 affedions and difeafes. When over-heated, plants {how evident marks 

 of languor and fatigue : Their leaves become flaccid, their ftems 

 and branches bend toward the earth, their juices evaporate, and their 

 whole texture aflTumes the appearances of weaknefs and decay. The 

 application of too great a degree of cold makes the flowers, the 

 leaves, the bark, and even the woody fibres, fhrivel and contract in 

 their dimenlions. When deprived of proper light and air, their co- 

 lours fade, and they foon acquire a lurid and fickly afpeft. They 

 are likewife fubjedt to be ftarved for want of nourifhment. The 

 growth of plants, as well as that of animals, is checked by fcanty 

 lupplies of food. When the foil or fituation is unkindly, vegetables 

 are always weak and dwarfifh, and their prolific powers are diminifh- 

 ed. They may alfo be poifoned by the abforption of fluids hoftile 

 to their confliitution. Befide thefe general afFedtions, common to 

 the plant and animal, vegetables are injured, and often killed, by 

 particular difeafes. 



Some difeafes attack the leaves only, and produce Tpots of various 

 colours, rugofities, puftules, galls, &c. Others are peculiar to the 

 flowers and fruit, and often occafion barrennefs for a feafon ; and 

 fometimes this fterility continues during the exlftence of the plant. 

 Others aflTault the vifcera, or internal organs, and give rile to ob- 

 t F ftrudtions, 



