204 
OF PLANTS. 
as that between a pea and a bean. Why does the pea put 
forth tendrils, the bean not; but because the stalk of the 
pea cannot support itself, the stalk of the bean can? We 
may add also, as a circumstance not to be overlooked, that 
in the pea tribe these clasps do not make their appearance 
till they are wanted; till the plant has grown to a height 
to stand in need of support. 
This word “ support” suggests to us a reflection upon 
the property of grasses, of corn, and canes. The hollow 
stems of these classes of plants are set, at certain intervals, 
with joints. These joints are not found in the trunks of 
trees, or in the solid stalks of plants. There may be other 
uses of these joints; but the fact is, and it appears to be 
at least one purpose designed by them, that they corrobo¬ 
rate the stem; which, by its length and hollowness, would 
otherwise be too liable to break or bend. 
Grasses are Nature’s care. With these she clothes the 
earth; with these she sustains its inhabitants. Cattle feed 
upon their leaves; birds upon their smaller seeds; men 
upon the larger: for few readers need be told, that the 
plants which produce our bread-corn belong to this class. 
In those tribes, which are more generally considered as 
grasses, their extraordinary means and powers of preserva 
tion and increase, their hardness, their almost unconquer¬ 
able disposition to spread, their faculties of reviviscence, 
coincide with the intention of nature concerning them 
They thrive under a treatment by which other plants are de¬ 
stroyed. The more their leaves are consumed, the more 
their roots increase. The more they are trampled upon, 
the thicker they grow. Many of the seemingly dry and 
dead leaves of grasses revive, and renew their verdure, in 
the spring. In lofty mountains, where the summer heats 
are not sufficient to ripen the seeds, grasses abound, which 
are viviparous, and consequently able to propagate them¬ 
selves without seed. It is an observation, likewise, which 
has often been made, that herbivorous animals attach them¬ 
selves to the leaves of grasses; and, if at liberty in their 
pastures to range and choose, leave untouched the straws 
which support the flowers.* 
The general properties of vegetable nature, or proper¬ 
ties common to large portions of that kingdom, are almost 
all which the compass of our argument allows to bring for¬ 
ward. It is impossible to follow plants into their several 
species. We may be allowed, however, to single out three 
* With. Bot. Arr. vol. i. n. 28. ed. 2d. 
