OF GARDENING AS A SCIENCE. 
225 
of electric induction. For as all bodies, when electrified, produce an opposite state 
in other bodies within the range of their inductive influence, so the sun, being the 
fountain of pure ethereal light, electrises all bodies, (primary or secondary,) and 
produces a condition in such bodies, which causes them to attract each other, and 
to be attracted themselves, universally and interchangeably. 
When we come to the subject of electric, vital action, we shall perceive how 
these opinions, indicated above ten years since, are borne out by the excellent 
articles now in series, as before said. 
We may not be able to withdraw the veil of mystery, but the experiments 
of Faraday have been quite conclusive of the fact that a stupendous quantity of 
electricity combines with the elements of matter, and gives them form and con- 
sistence ; in other words, retains them in their natural condition and order. This 
electricity is derived from the sun, water and the metals being in all probability 
the media of absorption : and as all light flows from the sun, that luminary is the 
Jirst grand connective principle. 
Light , we have said, pervades, imbues, influences all things. True, we do not 
perceive it in a drop of water, yet water contains the elements of tremendous 
combustion. Flint does not manifest light, neither does steel, yet who can doubt 
their excitability by percussion \ Hydrogen gas, the lightest of all known airs, is 
invisible; yet let a stream of it be projected through a fine aperture upon a bit of 
spongy platinum, the cold metal will be heated, and ignite the gas. A piece of 
glass, and a small square of black silk, are both inert and cold bodies, yet, by the 
friction of the two together, they will exhibit sparks of ethereal light. A portion of 
white sugar mixed with chlorate of potass in the state of powder, will burst into 
flame on applying a small drop of concentrated sulphuric acid. On the same 
principle, the percussion-caps of guns, and the modern lucifer matches, act as 
excitable media of masked electrical light. 
The theory of latent heat will vanish into thin air, as the principle of solar, 
electric light becomes appreciable. Philosophers are advancing on the road, but 
like the world, they cleave to old prejudices. We must be thankful for what is 
accomplished — for what Davy effected, and Faraday improved and enlarged. Yet 
we are far from the simplicity of science. 
Light , as applied to plants endowed with vitality, is an active principle ; they 
drink it in, and colour is imparted to their foliage and flowers ; but it is a mistake 
to suppose that the direct ray is always essential, for diffused light acts perfectly 
well on many vegetables ; and even in a dark cellar a rhubarVplant exhibits gorgeous 
tints of red and yellow. But the air itself is replete with lights, and this medium 
cannot be excluded. 
Inert vegetable matters, void of life, as straw, haulm, dry wood, are vehicles of 
this mighty principle, which requires only a spark, or even friction duly applied, to 
rouse it into activity. They then burst into rapid combustion, and produce substances, 
the existence of which could be no more suspected by the ignorant, than was the 
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VOL. VIII.— NO. XCIV. 
