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SECT. XXIV. 
OF THE MOTIONS OF THE PLUMULA AND ROSTEL. 
In earth, sea, air, around, below, above, 
Life's subtle woof in Nature's loom is wove; 
Points glued to points a living line extends, 
Touch'd by some goad approach the bending ends; 
Rings join to rings, and irritated tubes 
Clasp with young lips the nutrient globes or cubes ; 
And urg'd by appetencies new , select, 
Imbibe, retain, digest, secrete, eject. 
In branching cones the living web expands, 
Lymphatic ducts, and convoluted glands; 
Aortal tubes propel the nascent blood, 
And lengthening veins absorb the refluent flood. 
Leaves, lungs, and gills, the vital ether breathe 
On earth's green surface, or the waves beneath. 
Darwin. 
Plants present ns with some circumstances which seem to indicate that 
they have feeling; but I do not know whether we are in a proper situation 
to observe them, or whether the strong persuasion we have so long enter¬ 
tained of their being insensible, will permit us to judge rightly of them. In 
order to this, we must be a carte blanche on the question, and bring plants 
to a new trial, both more important and more exempt from prejudices. An 
inhabitant of the moon, who has the same senses and the same share of 
understanding with ourselves, but who is not prepossessed concerning the 
insensibility of plants, is the philosopher we are seeking for. 
Imagine that such an observer had lately studied the productions of our 
earth, and that after having bestowed his attention on polypuses and other 
insects which multiply by slips, he proceeds to the contemplation of vege¬ 
tables. He would undoubtedly trace them from their origin. For this 
purpose he would sow seeds of different species, and would attentively 
observe their springing up. Suppose some of these seeds had been sown 
the contrary way, the radicle being turned upwards, and the plumula, or 
little stalk, downwards. We will likewise suppose that our observer knows 
how to distinguish between the radicle and the plumula , and is acquainted 
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