i 
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NOTES CULTURAL, CRITICAL, AND SUGGESTIVE. 255 
the plant. In particular, we find in the ease of the full tree, that the branches extend all round the 
axis, -whereas in the leaf the fibrous veins all lie in one plane. But then we have a phenomenon to 
connect these two in the branch, the branchlets of which often lie in one plane. The principal differ- 
ence between the tree and leaf may probably be found to be in this — that the cellular tissue or paren- 
chyma, which in the tree and its branches is collected into the pith and bark (which are connected by 
the medullary rays) is in the leaf so spread out as to fill up the interstices of the fibrous matter which 
forms the veins. 
The general order as thus stated applies only to the plants which have pith and bark, and fully 
formed leaves intended to strike the eye. There is no such special order in plants with linear, un- 
branched leaves, such as Firs and Pines. The leaf in these plants has no ramified venation, and seems 
to correspond, not to the whole tree, but to the stem, and in doing so it is more in accordance with 
the whole morphology of the tree than a veined leaf could possibly be. But while the general order 
is varied to suit the different physiological structure and form of the tree, we discover here the very 
same general principles of order as we have been discovering elsewhere ; for in the Firs and Pines 
every internode is of the same structure with every other ; every branch tends to assume the outline 
of the whole tree, every topmost or growing internode with its leafage is of the same form as the tree 
or branch. Herein does the special morphology approach nearest to that of the plants with ramified 
veins, and the very cones ai-e often types of the whole tree and of every branch. 
We are not prepared to say what is the special law of order in plants of the monocotyledonous 
class. Some of these, such as our ordinary Lilies and Grasses, send off no branches, and the leaves of 
these plants, have their veins parallel or nearly parallel to the stem, and have no ramified venation. 
In regard to Palms, they would require to be investigated in their native climes, before their special 
order could be discovered. Some plants of this class, the Dictyogens of Lindlcy, to which belong the 
yams, have branches like our ordinary forest trees, and it is a curious circumstance and confirmatory 
of our theory, that the leaves of these plants have a reticulated structure. So far as fungi, lichens, 
alga?, and the whole acotyledonous plants are concerned, it is evident that they present a repetition 
of parts homotypal in structure and form, and thus illustrate one general doctrine — that throughout 
the vegetable kingdom the parts are similar to one another, and in nice accordance with the whole. 
Such facts as the above incline us to the belief that the fibrous veins of the leaf bear a morpholo- 
gical analogy to the steins of the tree. TVe are inclined to regard the root, the stem, and the leaf as 
the three distinct members of the fully-developed plant, these three parts, however, being morpholo- 
gically allied, so that, to adopt the phraseology of Professor Owen, as applied to another subject, 
they may be called Hojiotypes. The plant thus becomes an unity with innumerable interesting 
diversities. 
I think it proper to add that while strongly convinced that there is truth in this doctrine, I am at 
the same time prepared to believe that it may have to submit to modification, which may correct, but 
will not destroy, the general view. 
NOTES CULTURAL, CRITICAL, AND SUGGESTIVE. 
Nocera Onion, (Oignon de Nocera). — This is a small silver-skinned and very early variety. The 
seeds were received from Italy in 1840 by M. Audot, and when sown in a bed near another sort known 
as Oignon Wane hatif, it was found to be a full month earlier. It much resembles, in general form 
and size, the common Turnip-Radish ; the under part is white, and the shoulder being more or 
less green, the whole surface is prettily streaked with green and light brown. If not identical with 
the true Petit Oignon blane de Florence, which has for a long time been out of cultivation, it is 
very nearly allied to that variety. It is certainly a very desirable sort, and excellent for pickling, 
but lias not been found to keep well in France. It is, however, extensively grown for the market of 
Naples in I he small town of Nocera, near Vesuvius, whence its name has been derived, — Revue Sort. 
Climate of Natal. — According to Krauss, Natal is well watered by numerous rivers, which arise 
in the coast chain Qnathhinhra ; these mountains are nearly 10,000 feet high, and run through the 
coast country of the new colony in every direction. The vegetation springs up in September; and 
during the months of October, November, and December, corresponding with the atmospheric precipi- 
tations, attains the greatest splendour. During this moist season the thermometer varies between 
19* and 31° Centigrade [66° and 88° Fahrenheit]. Vegetable life is suddenly arrested as early as 
January; the grass plains appearing dark yellow, and the forests Qowerlcss and uniformly green. 
>u Rain seldom falls fi'om January to March ; tie air during this period is hut and oppressive, and the 
{A temperature between 20' and 32°.5 Ceutig. The same appears to be the case with the two followi g 
, c /3 — - — ^l H 
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