57 
GARDENING AS A SCIENCE. 
No. III. 
It is not our object to enter minutely into the structure of individual plants ; 
that inquiry belongs to the physiological botanist ; and amidst the boundless 
varieties of the vegetable kingdom it would be impossible to particularize. 
The vital principle of plants remains a mystery deep as that which in the 
animal creation involves the power of volition ; but we are not forbidden to 
investigate effects, and from thence to obtain a glimpse of their immediate causes. 
Believing, as we are constrained to do, by analogy of facts, that there is no such 
thing as a creation of new parts — or in other w^ords, that every increment, either 
as respects number or enlargement of parts, is simply a development of what had 
existed from the first germination of a seed, it will be our endeavour to trace in the 
general structure of a plant, whether it be a tree or shrub, as the most noble, — a 
perennial, herbaceous, — or annual plant, that runs its simple course, — the one great 
principle Vv'liich by infinitely diversified machinery still operates alike in all. 
We have already alluded to the processes of germination, and the development 
of roots, but these are effects and nothing more ; the vital principle is the cause of 
all : thus, to take an example from the highest class of vegetable beings — an 
exogenous tree — if a cherry be investigated daily, under the microscope, from the 
time when the fruit enlarges and has thrown off the blossom, a change in the 
structure of the embryo seed will be perceived day by day — a vital speck, a little 
atom of transparent fluid, is early discernible, which gradually becomes organized, 
till at length the fruit ripens, the seed is perfected, and thus prepared to germinate 
and display the rudiments of a tree. 
If there be creation in any one of these earliest, and all subsequent developments, 
though extended perhaps through an indefinite number of years, it can only be 
referred to the process of impregnation ; yet even here we meet with difficulties, 
for what is, indeed, the farina but an organized rudiment, which only requires an 
appropriate medium to enlarge itself into a perfect foetus ? 
We will, however, attempt to draw a distinctive line, and then allude to the 
vital theory of Mr. James Main, which, though some may deem it fanciful, contains 
truths and reflections so startling, as to rivet attention and lay claim to the most 
vigilant and respectful investigation. 
A living plant^ small or great, even in the condition of a seminal embryo, 
possesses a vitalized " organism ; " all the parts are subject to death and decay, 
hence the period of their duration is limited ; they moreover require nutriment, to 
provide for their progressive increase. This nutriment, as we have seen, is derived 
from the earth, or air, and hence consists of elements subject to the laws of chemical 
action. Under the stimulus of the vital principle, (which, as a second cause, we 
VOL. IX.— NO. xcix. I 
