VEGETABLE ABSORPTION. 
15 
roses could not succeed in a certain locality. A set of plants was therefore bespoke 
of a party, not in regular trade, who had many, but who neglected to deliver them 
when taken up, and left them out of sight till May. At that time they were 
received, and every appearance of a single fibre had disappeared. Acting upon the 
principle that “ Nothing is to be despaired of ” (Nil desperandiim), four or five tall 
suckers were most carefully planted in a strong sandy loam, and kept continually, 
but cautiously, supplied with water. Every one succeeded, and produced handsome 
self-standards, from which suckers were duly protruded, that supplied the garden, 
and the parents still live, and bloom in perfection. 
Facts like these (and they cannot be contradicted) are decisive. They clearly 
prove that fibres, and especially Spongioles, are not required in the removal at a 
proper season (that is, in October, November, and February,) of deciduous trees and 
shrubs. Spongioles being then the organs of absorption connected with the young 
green parts, are vital to them, and thus it is we come to understand why it is that 
the removal of trees and shrubs during the seasons of growth is almost fatal to them ; 
or at least invariably produces the collapse and fading of the Spring shoots, and also 
of green herbs at similar periods. 
“ The surface of the leaves,” continues the Lecture, “is also capable of absorbing 
fluid, as we see when leaves which have become flaccid from drought are watered ; 
the water penetrates the substance of the leaves, and restores their freshness.” 
This remark is only partially correct, and if flaccid leaves be ever restored, it is 
more than probable that the water enters and passes through the footstalk. We 
may water over the leaves in vain, if the soil be so dry as to cause flaccidity, and 
this proves that “ the natural course of absorption is through the roots ; the root of 
a plant continually increasing in length, and putting forth new branches, and going 
in search, as it were, of fresh nourishment. The chief elongation, however, is at the 
extremities. Each Spongiole is formed of a map of loose tissue uncovered by 
cuticle or epidermis ; the cells of the Spongiole become after a time incapable of 
further absorption ; new cells are formed, while the cuticle extends and covers the 
older ones ; and thus the root increases in length.” This passage may be said to 
comprise a pretty correct description of the progress of roots among plants of the 
deciduous tribes. 
We must now take a glance at the absorbent system independent of roots already 
formed, and particularly at the development of roots from cuttings in water. 
Dr. Ayres tells us (p. 93) in his Lecture that “ The whole tissue of a plant is 
capable of absorbing liquids, for if we cut the branch of a tree or plant, and plunge 
the cut end in water, absorption goes on for a certain time, but soon ceases, because 
the cells are not renewed as in the Spongioles of the roots, and soon undergo changes 
by contact with water, which render them incapable of further absorption. The 
absorption may however be renewed, and the life of the branch prolonged by cutting 
off the end of the branch, and thus bringing a new surface in contact with the liquid. 
“ The cutting or slips of many plants are capable of producing fresh roots from 
