342 PHYTOLOGY. 



It is expressive of actions whose causes and effects are very similar, 

 although the mode of performing them may not be similar. 



Of the Suspension of the Actions of Vegetables. — The actions of a vege- 

 table depend on the living principle. We see those actions suspended, 

 although the living power is existing ; and probably this power can lie 

 much longer inactive in the vegetable than in any animal, its own exist- 

 ence not depending so immediately upon action in the vegetable as in 

 the animal ; but this varies very considerably in the different classes of 

 vegetables, as also in the different classes of animals. However, it is 

 probable that the vegetable, which can the least bear a suspension of its 

 actions, can do so more than the animal, which can bear it longest. I 

 am not alluding here to those natural suspensions of actions which 

 appear to be a necessary part of their economy, as where a plant 

 cannot be active during two seasons without an interruption to the 

 vigorous actions, but to those suspensions of action arising from some 

 violence, such as transplanting, or probably disease. Trees shall have 

 their actions suspended for one, two, or three seasons, but be still 

 living, and shall die at last. 



I planted some Scotch Firs in the month of July, 1772, when the 

 shoot was full-grown. In the following spring one of them did not 

 send out fresh shoots, although the buds were fresh and the whole was 

 green ; it remained in this state all the summer : the winter follow- 

 ing it appeared just the same as in the preceding winter, viz. the last 

 shoot, which was a year and a half old, appeared like those of the 

 last spring's growth in other firs; the spring following, 1774, viz. two 

 years, it was stationary, and kept fresh as in the preceding spring, 

 but it died in the summer. Here was life sustained without action for 

 two years ; but as it had not powers to act, the tree lost its powers of 

 life, not being able to live under a longer suspension of its action. 



On the other hand, we find that in many vegetables, although their 

 powers are weak, yet their actions are not suspended when the proper 

 season is calling them forth ; but often these necessary actions are 

 more than the powers are capable either of perfecting or continuing. 

 If the necessity to act is not greater than the power, then they go on well ; 

 but if the necessity to act is greater than the power, then they become 

 weak, and perhaps cannot even support life, and they die. This is seen 

 in very hot weather in summer, when trees, &c. die through heat, 

 although well- watered. It is still more remarkable in newly planted 

 trees, where the riving powers are rendered much weaker than at 

 another time ; for if the weather becomes hot, and continues long so, 

 they certainly die. We may see them send forth their young shoots 

 and leaves, but those shall die upon the approach of the too hot weather ; 



