238 Of the Roots of Plants. 
tion, to favour the afcent of the ftem, is one of the 
wonders of vegetation. 
M.Dodart firft obferved this perpendicularity of plants, 
and publifhed it in an exprefs efTay of the affeCtation of 
perpendicularity, obfervable in the ftems or ftalks of 
plants, &c. 
The matter of faCt is, that though almoft all plants 
rife a little crooked; yet the Hems fhoot up perpendi¬ 
cularly, and the roots fmk down perpendicularly; even 
fuch as by the declivity of the foil come out inclined, or 
are diverted out of the perpendicular by any violent 
means, again redrefs or ftrengthen themfelves, and re¬ 
cover their perpendicularity, by making a fecond or con¬ 
trary bend, or elbow, without rectifying the firft. 
A common eye looks on this affeCtation without any 
furprize; but a man, who knows what a plant is, and 
how formed, finds it a fubjeCt of aftonifhment. 
It has been before fhewn, that each feed contains a 
little plant, already formed, needing nothing but to he 
unfolded - 3 the little plant has its little root and pulp, 
which is generally feparable into two lobes, and is the 
foundation of the firft food the plantule draws by its root 3 
when it begins to germinate. 
If a feed in the earth be fo aifpofed, as that the root 
of the little plant be turned downwards, and item up¬ 
wards, and even perpendicularly upwards; it is eafy to 
conceive, that the little plant coming to unfold itfelf, its 
ftalk and root need only follow the direction they have 
to grow perpendicularly. But, 
It is very well known, the feeds of all plants, whether 
fown of themfelves, or by the help of man, fall into the 
ground at random; and among an infinite number of 
fituations, with refpeCt to the ftalk of their plant, the 
perpendicular direction upwards is but one. 
It 
