LETTER XI. 



109 



former. The growth of one year is only subservient to the cir- 

 culation of the next, and is ever afterwards of use merely in 

 giving strength and stability to the trunk, in order to support 

 the increasing size and weight of the branches and leaves. The 

 wisdom and beauty of this provision, by which that portion of 

 the plant which has become useless for every other purpose^ is 

 thus made to answer a very important end, are suflSciently 

 obvious ; and it is rendered necessary by the circumstance 

 that plants do not like animals arrive at a definite size and 

 there cease, but go on growing to an indefinite extent, and con- 

 sequently require corresponding increase and strength in those 

 parts which are to support them." 



And again : — 



Those parts of plants which perform the functions neces- 

 sary to their nutrition and growth, are strictly annual. So that 

 all plants are either annual, that is, wholly renewed every 

 year, — or .at least have the circulating vessels and all the 

 organs taking an active part in their economy annually re- 

 newed." * 



9. In these two extracts, there are several state- 

 ments which tally very exactly with mine. Observe, 

 first of all, what Dr Ware says as to the indefinite 

 growth of trees : — " They do not, like animals, arrive 

 at a definite size and there cease, but go on growing 

 to an indefinite extent," — an observation, I need 

 scarcely remark, which is precisely in accordance with 

 what I maintain. Again, Dr Ware virtually says, in 

 perfect keeping with my argument, that, in respect 



* John Ware, M.D.— Introduction to his Edition of SmeUie's 

 Philosophy of Natural History. 



