VEGETABLE STRUCTURE. 
163 
This is the Fa<£t : but It will be ufeful alfo to explain the manner. To 
underftand this juftly, we muft begin at that fpot in the Plant w'here re- 
fided the original Principle of Life ; and trace it thence, downw’ard to the 
^xtremell Fibre, and upward to the Flower. This dridf enquiry carries 
us back either to the Seed, or firfi: Bud from the original Root : it is equal 
which we take ; for the Principle of Life is the fame in both ; and its 
equal progrefs in either, from that fir ft fimple Rudiment to perfedlion, be- 
ing the fame, they mutually iUuftrate one another. 
The great Axiom is, that the Flefliy Subftance of the Stalk is the efien- 
tial part of the Plant. In this the power of Vegetation refides ; it refides 
in every part of this ; and in no other part of the Plant. 
y\NY Particle of this which can be prefcrved from putrefaction in the 
earth, will grow ; and no other part can grow without this. This being 
planted, will produce all the others ; but all the other parts, without this, 
perifla : they cannot produce this ; and there is no Vegetation without it. 
The efiential part of the Flower is formed of this, and it is a portion of 
this lodged in the Seed that grows The experiments lately made, under 
my direction, by Mr. Barnes, upon the principles of Agricola, fhew 
this. Every part of a Plant which contains but a particle of the Flefhy 
' Subftance, will grow into a perfeCt one, if kept from putrefaction. 
On this fundamental truth depends all. 
A Particle of this Flefhy Subftance of the Anemone Stalk, lodged in 
a Seed, or in the center of a Bud, is the Rudiment from which a new klant 
of the Anemone is to grow. This is at firft a fpeck too fmall for the 
fight, unlefs affifted by the moft powerful Microfcopes : It is defended by 
the fpungy fubftance of the Seed, or by the fubftance of the Root, which 
grows round about it in the Bud : But this lives ; this only lives j and it is 
the Principle and Seat of Life in the fucceeding Plant. 
Whether a Seed, or a lengthened Bud of the Anemone, called a 
Parted Root, be fet, it is from this fpot the fucceding Plant rifes. It is 
lodged by the Gardiner’s hand, at fome fmall depth under the earth ; and 
there it begins to grow. Roots are fent downward, and a Stalk is (hot up- 
wards, each from this one point. This remains always in the fucceeding 
growth ; and is the Seat of Life in the Plant. All the reft grow from it : 
What we call the Stalk, is only a continuation of a part of this upw'ard ; 
and what we call* the Root, is, in the fame manner, a continuation of it 
downward : both are extenfions only of this point : being of its nature, 
they contain the power of Vegetative Life, as the original piece does ; and 
being planted, as that was, any piece of them is as ready to grow. This I 
Y 2 have 
