2 
PHENOMENA OF VEGETATION. 
minerals that project branches and even foliated parts, and plants 
devoid of either, individuals of the latter which evince a suscep¬ 
tibility of feeling, and living bodies of the animal portion of created 
matter, quite insensate even to violence, in so far as demonstrable 
motion is concerned. Other recent definitions are found to fail 
on application to nearly the same extent; and probably the only 
mode of determining with certainty between the two organic 
divisions, is by the action of fire, as animal bodies emit when 
burning a phosphoric odour, which is not present in vegetable 
matter. 
Pass we now to the consideration of the development of the 
higher orders of vegetation: phenomena which must excite our 
utmost admiration, at k its unerring constancy and delicate, yet 
efficient action ; sufficient in its complicated parts and beautiful 
order, to oblige the most callous to acknowledge the existence 
and presence of an overruling and beneficent power. In the 
majority of plants, the first principal of vitality is contained in 
the seed : a germ is there, supported in the interim by the car¬ 
bon contained in the integuments of the fruit, but which, to 
develope itself, requires a supply of oxygen to convert the carbon 
into carbonic acid, the most essential agent in the preservation of 
vegetable life. This compound gas is formed chiefly by the 
absorption of water, the hydrogen contained in it being fixed by 
the plant, and its other component mingling with the carbon, is 
respired as carbonic acid. A degree of heat, variable according 
to the natural station of the plant, is also requisite to start this ac¬ 
tion, which, once commenced, is continued through the existence 
of the plant. Its first movement of the tissue of the subject is 
apparent in the protrusion of the root; this, by means of its 
spongiole or mouth, is enabled to secrete matter from the earth 
or other medium to which it may be fixed, for the extension and 
support of the future leaves and branches, increasing its means 
of supplying with the extended growth of the plant, by the addi¬ 
tion of other mouths or feeders, frequently ramifying to an almost 
incredible degree, a corresponding number of rootlets being kept 
up with every addition to the foliated parts. In the opinion of 
some, this action is begun and continued in the opposite direc¬ 
tion. Be this as it may, it is certain that the consequences are 
reciprocal, an addition to the one being productive of a like 
