Page:Willich, A. F. M. - The Domestic Encyclopædia (Vol. 4, 1802).djvu/294

264]  thus prepared, ought to be packed either in strong paper formed in the manner adopted with tobacco-leaves, or in wooden boxes which have been completely dried; as otherwise they will acquire the flavour peculiar to the wood. If the directions here given be strictly followed, vegetables may not only be preserved for a long time, without losing any of their essential properties, but they may also be reduced to the 16th, 20th, nay, to the 24th part of their natural bulk. Mr., the inventor ot this process, observes in his paper quoted in a former article, that half an ounce of such concentrated herbs or roots will be a sufficient allowance for each person, if eaten together with animal food; and that a traveller may carry provisions for two months in his pockets, especially as mushrooms, lobsters, small fish, and other animal substances, may be preserved with equal success.—Lastly, when such provisions are to be dressed, it will be necessary either to infuse them for a short time in hot water, before they are exposed to the fire; or, to steep them, particularly leguminous fruits, in cold water, so that they may swell to nearly their natural size; after which they may be treated in every respect like other culinary objects.  VEGETATION, is the natural process by which plants receive their nourishment.

Naturalists have formed various conjectures, to account for the mysterious phenomena occurring in vegetable nature; and though unable to discover the primary source from which plants are enlivened, yet it is now agreed, and proved, that all vegetables originate from seeds, each of which comprehends three parts, namely: 1. The cotyledons, or two porous lateral bodies or lobes, that imbibe moisture: 2. The radicle, or eye, which appears between the lobes: and, 3. The plumula, a small round body attached to the radicle, though wholly concealed within the cotyledons.

If a seed be deposited in the earth, in a favourable situation, it imbibes moisture, and evolves carbonic acid gas; but, if any oxygen gas be present, it is gradually absorbed by the seed, and the farinaceous matter, contained in the cotyledons, acquires a saccharine taste. Numerous vessels then appear in the lobes which convey the nutriment to the radicle, that progressively increases in size, and at length assumes the form of a root; strikes downwards into the earth; and thence derives the nourishment necessary for the support of the future plant.—Now the cotyledons shoot above the ground, become leaves, and form what botanists have termed the seminal leaves. Thus, the plumula is gradually enlarged, and rises out of the earth, spreading itself into branches, &c.; after which the seminal leaves wither and decay, while the different processes of vegetation are carried on in the plant, without their assistance.

Such is the manner in which the growth of plants naturally takes place: it may, however, be artificially promoted, by applying certain chemical preparations; but, as we have already concisely treated on this subject, in the articles, and , the reader will revert to those heads.—Many valuable hints respecting the phenomena of vegetation, are contained in Dr. 's  periments