78 
APPENDAGES TO PLANTS. 
Fig. 14. 
In this drawing (fig. 14,) you will observe the thorn (a) 
to remain on the stem while the bark (6) has been peeled 
off. In the prickle (c) the whole appears separated from 
the plant. The thorns in some plants have been known to 
disappear by cultivation. The great Linnaeus imagined that 
in such cases, the trees were divested of their natural feroc- 
ity and became tame. You may smile at such a strange 
idea, but even great minds have their weaknesses ; when 
persons become enthusiastic in any science, they are in dan- 
ger of fancying analogies or resemblances, which exist only 
in their own minds. A more rational opinion is given by 
another botanist, viz — that thorns are in reality buds, which 
a more favourable situation converts into luxuriant branch- 
es. But in some cases thorns do not disappear even under 
circumstances favourable to vegetation. They have been 
compared to the horns of animals. 
4th. Glands , roundish minute appendages, sometimes called tu- 
mours or swellings ; they contain a liquid secretion which 
is supposed to give to many plants their fragrance. They 
are sometimes attached to the base of the leaf, sometimes, 
they occur in the substance of leaves ; as in the lemon and 
myrtle, causing them to appear dotted when held to the 
light. They are found on the petioles of the passion flow- 
er, and between the teeth or notches of the leaves of many 
plants. 
5th. Stings , hair-like substances, causing pain by an acrid li- 
quor, which is discharged upon their being compressed ; 
they are hollow, slender, and pointed, as in the nettle. 
6th. Scales, substances, in some respects resembling the coarse 
scales of a fish ; they are often green, sometimes coloured, 
and are found upon all parts of vegetables, upon the roots 
of bulbous plants, and upon the stems and branches of oth- 
er plants. They are imbricated upon the calyxes of most 
of the compound flowers. You have seen in buds, how im- 
portant the scales are to protect the embryo plant during 
the winter. Scales surround the flowers of grasses, under 
Thorns in some cases made to disappear — Glands — Stings — Scales. 
