93 VEGETABLE STRUCTURE. 
the Seed, which is a piece of the Flelh of the parent Plant, does not grow 
while kept out of the ground ; but (hoots when planted ; the want of 
moilfure prevented its growth before ; for when Seeds ripen, the VcfTcls 
of the Plant which fed that part where they are formed dry up. Yet 
we fee they are capable of growth even there, when accidents give th.e 
means : thus, in rainy feafuns, the Seeds of many of the Grades (hoot in 
the Ear. 
As Seeds are capable of being kept dry a long time, yet with the latent 
power of Life unhurt. So it is with thofe Roots which w’e take up at 
certain feafons, and may keep out of the earth, for feveral months, nay 
years. The philofophy of both is the fame ; for Seeds and Roots differ 
more in magnitude than nature. In each there is a portion of the Fledi 
of the original Plant, which forms a Cafe or Shell, defended from injuries 
by its outer Coverings; and has Veffels returning upon themfelves, in form 
of the Veffels of animal bodies, tho’ wanting the diftindiion of Arteries 
and Veins. The Juices in this fubdance may coagulate and ceafe to flow, 
and yet retain the power to do it on proper aflidance : and fo long the 
Seed or Root enjoys a date of capable, rather than adual life. The Seed 
is as the egg of an animal, which will never come to growth without the 
proper helps; tho’ it will, for a certain time, retain the power of 'life. 
The Root we take out of the ground, for certain months, would remain 
during the fame time if left in the earth in a date of red : a condition not 
very unlike that of thofe animals which fleep the winter : Jud fo much 
Life remaining as to preferve the vegetable charadler ; tho’ without perform- 
ing any of its fundtions. 
On the circulatory motion of the Juices in thefe Veffels of the Flefh of 
Plants, depends entirely their growth, and the difclofing of their parts : yet 
there is not a neceflity that the motion of returning Juices be carried to 
•the extremities of all thofe parts. The vigour of a certain fydem of cir- 
culation will give growth to detached parts of the Flefh which rife far be- 
yond it. This is feen in the formation of the Filaments in the Flowers 
of Plants ; for there is no return of their Juices. The force of growth in 
them arifes from a fydem of circulation lodged much low'er in the Plant; 
and this fydem of returning Veffels, is fometimes Angle, fometimes repeat- 
ed. This will be explained at large in the fucceeding Chapters, where 
we diall illudrate the general dodtrine by particular indances. It may be 
fufheient to obferve here, that the Winter Aconite, to be deferibed here- 
after, fhews an indance of a Angle circulatory fydem ; there being no re- 
turning 
