35 
physiologist answers, by food taken in by the roots, which being 
diffused throughout the system, assists to distend, by dilatation, 
pre-existing membranes: but this idea has been clearly proved 
erroneous. Another physiologist maintains, that every hud in- 
creases the stem by ejecting fibres down between the wood and 
bark, (o form the new alburnum; but neither has this idea been 
clearly proved. The most generally received opinion is that 
suggested by T. A. Knight, Esq. President of the London Hor- 
ticultural Society; namely, that all new accretions are elab- 
orated out of the sap, it being said to be “organizable.” Now, 
whether this be possible has become a question. In whatever 
state the sap is found, whether as resin, gum, mucilage, &c., it 
is always homogeneous, and perfectly free from every atom of 
woody matter; which, by combination, or mutual attraction, 
might be supposed to form into membranes like the crystals of 
inorganic matter. Sap serves to fill the cells and distend the 
membranes; but neither cellular nor vascular organization can 
be formed of it. Could this happen, entire organs, viz. leaves, 
flowers, fruit, and seeds, would be the result of accumulations 
of sap; and if an organ or membrane, why not a whole plant! 
If a new layer of wood can be formed of sap, so may the whole 
system: but as the whole must originate in a seed, sporule, or 
from some previously existing dissevered part of a plant, so must 
every membrane proceed from a rudimental basis. This basis is 
the “vital membrane” alluded to. 
69 Penguicula grandiflora and vulgaris. These two beau- 
tiful species, although seldom seen in collections of alpine plants, 
are of easy culture. Towards autumn they form a main bulb, 
surrounded by several smaller ofisets. These are readily ob- 
served, being close to the surface of the soil, during w inter, whilst 
the plants are in a dormant state. In February, separate these 
bulbs; put the largest, singly, into small pots; the smaller ones, 
several in a pot, merely fixing the bulbs in the soil, but scarcely 
covering them. The strongest plants may, during summer, if 
necessary, be repotted into pots of larger sizes, keeping the bulbs 
entire, as they will never bear dividing, nor the removal of any 
soil from their roots, whilst in a growing state. The finest peat, 
mixed with one third of sharp sand, forms the suitable soil for 
them; plenty of drainers being used beneath it. Although some 
cultivators keep these plants standing in pans of water, during 
IIS 69y Darencom. 
