LETTER VIII. 



69 



if I can prove that what I have affirmed concerning this 

 is true, the other allegations as to the natural longevity 

 and the natural size of trees, will necessarily be true also- 



3. Now the evidence to be adduced will consist in 

 shewing, first, That the annual growths emanating 

 from the buds constitute, severally, perfect and inde- 

 pendent plants ; and that a succession of such plants 

 may be kept up from year to year, and for an indefi- 

 nite period, from buds alone ; — and, secondly, That the 

 same year they are produced, the plants or growths 

 in question (save only the newly -formed buds) die, and 

 never live again ; or, in other words, cease to be, and 

 never afterwards become the seat of any vital action. 



4. All this it will be incumbent on me to make good. 

 Beyond this, however, I do not see that anything will 

 remain to be done, unless it be to add strength to my 

 argument by adducing the concurring testimony of 

 others in favour of it, and to meet objections that may 

 be advanced against it. And with regard to that tes- 

 timony I may in anticipa^tion observe here, that singu- 

 larly strong and varied as it will be found to be, its 

 great value will lie in its being thoroughly independent 

 and undesigned. 



5. My first endeavour, then, will be to shew that 

 the annual growths which issue from the buds consti- 

 tute, severally, perfect and independent plants ; and 

 likewise, that a succession of such plants may be kept 

 up from year to year for ever, from buds alone. 



