LETTER XV. 



159 



This cellular basis is the continuous product of that in 

 which the whole fabric has its origin ; it is that of which the 

 leaves are offsets, developed for a particular pui'pose (the ela- 

 boration of nutriment for the axis and its other appendages), 

 and ceasing to exist when that purpose is answered ; and it 

 retains the power of giving origin to buds from any part of it 

 that may be stimulated to increased development. For al- 

 though it may be quite true that, under ordinary circumstances, 

 each year's growth of buds originates in the new tissue formed 

 in the preceding year, yet this tissue is but the extension of the 

 general cellular basis ; and, under extraordinary circumstances, 

 portions of this at a great distance from the last formed buds, 

 may develope a new set of foliaceous organs." * 



7. Reserving, for the present, all discussion of the 

 main points embraced in the exceptions here taken, 

 let us dwell for a little on one or two lesser points, 

 that bear more immediately on two special circum- 

 stances which Dr Carpenter adduces, in connection 

 with the general statements now before you, — the 

 one as positively fatal to the theory, the other as not 

 in accordance with it. 



8. Admitting, which I freely do, — maintaining, 

 however, that there is nothing in my theory which 

 makes this admission a concession, — admitting that the 

 common cellular tissue of every plant is the basis of 

 the whole plant — just as a single primordial cell is the 

 basis of every living being — I beg to observe that 

 there are two allegations made regarding it which I 

 cannot allow to pass unnoticed. Dr Carpenter says, 



* Ibid, p. 903. 



