22 A TREATISE ON THE CONNECTION OF

of maturation, resin and oil are formed. This oil con-

tributes also to the pliability of vegetables.

By a due mixture of mucilage with these other sub- stances, vegetables are to a certain degree rendered Ccapa- ble of solution in water, a property not possessed either

by resin, animal matter, or oil, in a separate state.

Thus it appears, that although living vegetables are effectually protected, by their outward covering of resin and animalized matter, from the aétion of humidity; still, from the whole of their constituent parts, there arises a certain degree of solubility, which afterwards con+

tributes to the food both of animals and vegetables. Beside these, vegetables contain earthy matters, for-

merly held in solution in the newly taken in juices of

the growing vegetable.

ANIMAS