XIV 
INTRODUCTION, 
organical, living, and felf- moving bodies, for we 
fee here, in this plant, motion and volition. 
What power or faculty is it, that directs the cirri 
of the Cucurbita, Momcrdica, Vitis, and other 
climbers, towards the twigs of fhrubs, trees, and 
other friendly fupport ? we lee them invariably lean- 
inn, extending, and like the fingers of the human 
hand, reaching to catch hold of what is neared, 
jufc as if they had eyes to fee with ; and when their 
hold is fixed, to coil the tendril in a fpiral form, 
by which artifice it becomes more elaftic and effec- 
tual, than if it had remained in a diredt line, for 
every revolution of the coil adds a portion of 
fcrength ; and thus colledted, they are enabled to 
dilate and contradf as occafion or neceflity requires, 
and thus by yielding to, and humouring the motion 
of the limbs and twigs, or other fupport on which 
they depend, are not fo liable to be torn off by 
fudden blafls of wind or other affaults : is it fenfe or 
infer 61 that influences their adtions? it muff be 
forne impulle ; or does the hand of the Almighty 
adt and per.orm this work in our fight ? 
The vital principle or efficient caufe of motion 
and adtion, in the animal and vegetable* fyftem, 
perhaps may be more fimilar than we generally ap- 
prehend. Where is the effential difference between 
the Led of peas, peaches, and other tribes of 
plants and trees, and the eggs of oviparous ani- 
ma's, as of birds, fhakes, or butterflies, fpawn of 
fifb, &c. ? Let us begin at tne fource of terreftrial 
exiftence. Are not the feeds of vegetables, and the 
eggb of oviparous animals fecundated, or influenced 
with the vivific principle of life, through the approxi- 
mation md intimacy of the fexes ? and immediately 
after the eggs and feeds are hatched, does not the 
* Vid. Sponfalia plantarum, Araan. Acad I. n. iz, Linn. 
young 
