Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1853-11-19
FIINcTIoNs oFIE8yEs

folage the mantle OF living green, IN which the veg
etable world is arrayed during the of growth
and development. Few however, are aware of the
important functions which those countless leaves
perform, in the growth of plants. To the common
eye they appear the lavish ornaments which beau
tfy the vernal landscape and invest each tree and
shrub with garment of loneliness. Their secret
but vital functions disclosed only to the eye of
science. They are to the plant what the lungs the
stomach and the skin to the animal 1t is through
them that the important functions of breathing, di-
gestion and perspiration accomplished. Plants,
like animals, breathe digest their food and throw
off their surplus moisture and peahaps portion of
the substances contained in their fluids by perspra-
ton and those vital operations all performed by
the leaves which adorn them
The sap, which is absorbed by the roots, constant
ly ascends up the vessels of the plant, during its
growth, to the leaves. Here it undergoes a change
analogous to that effected in the food of animals in
the process of digestion. The superfuous water is
thrown off by the perspiraton of the leaves, while
that which remains is converted into the juice called
the true sap which like the blood of animals in its
after circulation, furnishes the various substances
found in plants.
The leaves, as intimated, arc perspratory organs
of the plant The office of the perspiration is per-
formed on the under side of the leaf and may be al
most entirely stopped by spreading varnish on that
surface. The quantity of moisture thus thrown off
is much larger during the night. Dr. Halcs found
that cabbage transmitted daily quantity of water
nearly equal to half its weight.
The leaves of plants absorb from the atmosphere
carbonic acid, in the form of gas. This acid is
combination of carbon or charcoal with oxygen one
of the constituent gases of the atmosphere. The
acid decomposed the carbon being retained by the
plant and composing a large part of its substance
while the oxygen is emitted. The absorption of the
carbonic acid takes place in the light, and the nu-
OF which is essential to the process This fact
explains the phenomenon that plants cease to grow,
and that they languish and perish when deprived of
light
1t is ascertained that trees derive large portion
of their carbon woody substance from the carbonic
acid absorbed by their leaves from the air. Won
Helmont planted willow which weighed lbs. in
pot containing 200 lbs of earth. This he watered
for five years, and at the end of that time the tree
was found to weigh 1904 lbs, while the earth in
which it had stood found to have lost only two
ounces From whence did the tree derive that large
mass OF carbon which constituted the chief portion
of its increased weight? Undoubtedly from the at
mosphere-the carbonic acid absorbed by its leaves
the water with which it was supplied, holding
portion of carbon in solution, may have furnished
part of it !; but the carbonc acid of the air must
have boon the chief source of supply.
Plants during the day emit oxygen, the vtaliZing
element of our common air, through their leaves
This is derived from the carbonc acid it is decom-
posed for vegetables found not to emit oxygen,
unless carbonic acid be present. During the night
the leaves of plants absorb oxygen, and form with
it carbOnc acid, part of which they emit and
part is retained.
By this process of absorption of carbonic acid by
the leaves OF plants the atmosphere is purified of that
portion of it which, in the form of gass, is noX
louS, and when concentrated, so fatal to animal life,
it being the noxious air found in deep wells, and
which arises in the fumes of burning charcoal Thus
is this substance in nature breathed into the atmos
phcrc from the lungs of myriadS of animals and diff
fused from the decomposition of animal and vegetable
substances and which, if diminished would render the
air we breathe unfit to sustain life absorbed and
verified into the firm substance of innumerabe trees
and shrubs while its oxygen is returned to the at
mosphere to revivify it.
Finally, the leaves of plants absorb water as well
carbonc acid and oxygen. 1t is found that plant
q m at he will
revive and grow when a branch with its leaves, is
placed in vessel of water. beautiful illustration
OF this fact is also beheld in the renewed greenness
of the leaves after summer shower; the parchcd
landscape appears to smile with gadness, if con-
scious of the blessing it has received.
One SECRET HAPPY LIFE We were in
pany the other day, says the Youths Penny Gazette
with gentleman apparently fifty or sixty years OF
age, who used the following language:
Were to live my life again. should make
1t point to do a kindness to fellow-being when
ever had the opportunity. regret very much that
my habit has been so different, that have induced
feelings unlike those which would lead to such
course of life
1t has been too much my way to let others take
care of themselves, while took care of myself 1t
some little trespass was committed my rights, or
If L suffered some slight Inconvenience from thes
thoughtessness and selshncss of Others was great
ly annoyed and sometimes used harsh and reproach-
tul language towards the offender.
l am now satisfied that my own happiness was
greatly impaired by this course, and that my conduct
and example contributed to the irritation and unhap-
piness of others.
1t was but the other day, continued the gentleman,
that was passing along the street, and coachman
attempting to draw light carriage into coach
house. He tried once or twiceswthout. success, and
just came up the carriage occupied the whole OF
the side walk, and prevented my passing. The TEL
low looked if ought not to be exactly so, and
there something like faint apology in his smile.
1t was my tongue to say, in with your carriage,
man and not let it stand here blocking up the pass
age But better influence prevailed. went to
the rear of the carriage and said: Now try again,
my good fellow! while with the end of my umbrella
gave little push, and in the carriage went, and
out came the pleasant Thank We sir-much obliged
would not have taken twenty dollar bank note for
the streak of sunshine that this little act of kind
threw over the rest of my walk, to say nothing
of the lighting up of the coachman's face.
And when look back my intercourse with my
fellow men all the way long, l confidently say
that never yet did kindness to human being
without being happier for it. So that if l gov
erned by mere selfish motives, and wanted to live
the happiest life could, would just simply obey
the Bible precept to do good unto all as l had op-
portunity.
All this said with air of sincerity and deep
conviction which we cannot give to our report of it.
And does the experience of the youngest of read
confirm contradict this statement? Is there
girl boy among all of them who say, L
did kind act once to my brother sister, or play
mate, and was afterwards sorry for it. should have
been happier if it had been unkind one? 1t is
very likely that kind act has been i'll requited or
nliScOnStrued: but if it was performed with