Part III.] OR POISONED BY VEGETABLE GROWTH? 
161 
In reference to the incombustible parts of the 
food of plants, all will agree that these ashes of 
plants are absorbed from the soil, since they 
actually are soil. In trees their quantity, as 
compared with the combustible parts, is small; 
though during the life of the tree, in the che¬ 
mical processes of decomposition, elaboration, 
and assimilation, their effects may be very great. 
The combustible or organic parts of trees, 
though they are not soil, are absorbed by the 
roots from the soil; that is, their constituents 
are elaborated or chemically prepared for the 
plant in the soil, and absorbed by the roots from 
the soil. But as neither animals nor plants 
bring anything into the world with them, so 
neither of them take anything away with them ; 
and if their remains are restored to the soil, no 
impoverishment will take place. 
I have no faith in the supposed excretion 
from the roots of substances unnecessary to the 
Nec perit in tanto quidquam (mihi credite) mundo : 
Sed variat, faeiemque novat; nascique vocatur, 
Incipere esse aliud, quam quod fuit ante ; morique, 
Desinere illud idem.” 
These are sublime doctrines as regards matter. So is the 
“ morte carent animae,” as regards the soul. Alas ! that the 
profound philosophers who held these doctrines should have 
taken the one step beyond the transformation of matter to 
the ridiculous belief in the transmigration of souls. 
M 
Roots do not 
excrete. 
