LETTER XX. 



219 



examine this a little in detail. It is so simple as 

 almost to elude observation, yet, as soon as seen, so 

 manifestly a scheme or contrivance — so like in kind 

 to what we ourselves might any one of us have devised, 

 that we cannot help identifying it with mind; and 

 withal so in keeping with the general idea, that we 

 cannot but regard both the idea and the scheme as 

 the offspring of one and the self-same mind. The 

 modification lies chiefly in this, — in the property 

 bestowed on the tree-plant of growing parasitically on 

 the root of its dead parent, and of so growing on this 

 root as to cover it over, enclosing it on every side and 

 throughout its length. It lies partly also in this, — 

 that the root itself is made somewhat firmer, and 

 therefore less quickly perishable than the root of the 

 ordinary annual. I say somewhat, because it need be 

 (and is in fact) only sufficiently firm to last till the 

 following season, that it may then serve as the support 

 or axis for the new plant of that season to rest and 

 grow upon. This purpose served, the root in ques- 

 tion is henceforth cut off, in the way just adverted 

 to, from the destructive agency which external in- 

 fluences tend uniformly to exert on all dead organic 

 matter. It is sheathed over, hermetically encased, 

 and thus (though naturally very perishable), effec- 

 tually protected against the joint and otherwise 

 irresistable action of air and heat and moisture. 



9. Physiologically, this modification of the general 



