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an exact resemblance to fragments of decaying leather, scattered on 
the ground, that it requires a near examination to satisfy an unskilful 
observer that it is not so. How different are all these from the 
sturdy tree whose roots strongly grasp the earth, and draw from 
thence abundant nourishment to support the stately pile which rears 
its lofty top in wild luxuriance to heaven! Were general resem- 
blance alone to be relied upon, these very dissimilar substances could 
never be included in the same class. But the forms which heaven 
has pleased to impress upon organized matter are so infinitely diver- 
sified, as to compel us to have recourse to other more accurate means 
than general appearances, for ascertaining the nature of these sub- 
stances which attract our attention. But, from the foregoing ob- 
servations, it appears, the very criterion by which we can examine 
this substance, its form and appearance alone excepted, proclaims 
it to be a recent vegetable substance, and nothing else. Why then, 
the Doctor concludes, should we be startled at appearances m t is 
instance, which we have been obliged to disregard in so many other 
cases of a similar kind ? 
Having now laid before you the Doctor’s hypothesis, in his own 
words, I will in a summary way state to you the evidence which he 
adduces in support of it. The solid compact nature of the moss 
plant, as the Doctor calls it, he thinks ought not to be allowed to 
make against his theory, since the diversities of plants, as to their 
modes of growth, are so great, as to give us sufficient reason not to 
think of limiting the laws of nature in this respect. It is certain 
that all mosses have been augmented by an increase of real quick 
moss, since their first formation. This augmentation, the Doctor 
thinks, can have happened in no other way than by its increase, in 
the manner of growing vegetables, from the time of its first germi 
nation till the present hour. But what is the nature of the see or 
sperm of this supposed moss plant ; how it was first planted ’ ^ ^ 
manner its increment has been effected ; or how it should ha’v e een 
VOL. I. 
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