88 
ON THE REPOSE OF PLANTS. 
TO THE EDITOR OF THE FLORIST’S JOURNAL. 
I fully agree with the remarks contained in your Journal ot 
the 1st of February, on the application of water to plants ; for, 
though very few flowering plants will grow without water, yet the 
greatest injury which they receive in artificial culture is produced 
by an undue supply of water, or giving it to them at improper 
seasons, of which the last is by far the most destructive. 
It seems to be a general law of organic nature, applicable both 
to plants and to animals, that, in proportion as the time of repose 
is profound, the time of activity is vigorous. Nothing contributes 
more to weaken the energies and destroy the spirit of an animal, 
than continually disturbing and rousing it when it is asleep, or 
keeping it awake by artificial means when nature inclines it to be 
sleeping. The repose of plants is just as different from the sleep 
of animals, as the nature and habits of the one kingdom of organic 
nature is from the other; for the repose of plants is a perfect ces¬ 
sation of all the actions of vegetable life ; while, during the most 
profound repose of an animal, the vital functions still go on. 
The state of animals which most nearly resembles the repose of 
plants is that to which the name of hybernation or wintering is 
given; and which, except in, the very hottest climates, is common 
to all reptiles, and to various other animals, in cold situations and 
in very high latitudes. 
When the animal is in this state, to which it is generally re¬ 
duced by cold, its powers of motion, and even of sensation, are 
completely suspended ; and there are many animals which, while 
they are in a state of hybernation, may be mutilated without being 
awakened, and cut in pieces without showing the least feeling of 
pain. Plants, when in a state of repose, are something similar; 
and though their state of inactivity appears to be produced by 
drought in tropical and warm latitudes, and by cold in polar and 
chilling ones, yet the absence of the action of moisture appears 
to be the grand cause of their repose, whatever may be the 
situation in which they grow, or the season in which they take 
their rest. 
Different plants are, no doubt, differently affected by the ap¬ 
plication of water when they are in a state of repose ; but there 
