Researches in the Theory and Calculus of Operations, 313 



tal pressure towards the central style, in the order of in- 

 creasing refinement, calyx and corolla, or sepals, petals , 

 and stamens carrying in their anthers the highest physical 

 resultant of the organization peculiar to the species. From 

 this elevation, descent or withering death becomes inevita- 

 ble. The intimated central direction allures the freed pollen 

 from the anther towards the stigma, to seek^ts nourishing 

 home in the heart of the ovarium, there to slumber await- 

 ing the call to its resurrection, and there to strengthen 

 itself for entrance upon a new period of activity. And here 

 is our first conclusion educed from this characteristic form 

 of transition. The ovary is a central growth : in all cases, a 

 central growth stands as complementary to its surrounding 

 or circumferential growths, as negative to positive, as femi- 

 nine to masculine ; and so offers a conception of the neces- 

 sary origination of the function of sexuality, of the neces- 

 sar/ cooperation of male with female in the inchoation of 

 a new life. 



In the economy of Nature, the duty of the vegetable is 

 performed by collecting the simple elements, hydrogen, 

 oxygen, carbon, nitrogen, from the earth, water and air, 

 and combine them into nutrient compounds by the aid of 

 the sun's quickening influences, as essential requisites for 

 the sustenance of animal life; by the partakers of which 

 they are utilized, and subsequently restored to their origin 

 among the terrestrial elements (Dumas, Moleschott). 



36. In the vegetable process, the root performs the duty 

 of the galvanic battery. The earth supplies the rootlets with 

 water containing mineral substances in solution : transfer 

 of this fluid takes place through the tubes and pores of the 

 stem, and makes its way to the higher extremities, where 

 the action of the serial medium, combined with that of the 

 solar and other forces, provokes the reaction which results 

 in the production of buds, leaves, flowers, and fruit and 

 seeds. Just as in the analogy of the electric machine, the 



Trans. vii.~\ 40 



