The Rutland daily globe. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1873-1877, 1874-04-14
Che 8utlaad Daily Globe.
TUESDAY, APRIL IA, 1874.
LECTURE RY PROF.. M. n.sEELE,
" Leaves,

very interesting lecture delivered by Prof.
II. NJ. Seeley, of Middlebury College, on
the subject of Leaves at Simons Hall.
on Friday evening last. The lecture was
the last of course given by the Professor
before class of chemistry, and on this oc-
casion large number of our citizens
availed themselves of the invitation extend
ed to the public to hear this original
production on the rar subject of
Leaves"
The Professor commenced by saying
that it seemed but week ago since Our
forests were blooming out in all their love
illness OF crimson, scarlet, green and gold
and still more recently since the leaves
were cast down, brown and scared at our
feet. And now we looked at the bare
trees, expecting in few more days to see
them again putting on new signs of life,
the green leaves first making their appear
ance and then the tassels Of flowers ap-
pear. 1t was to this FORM which gave so
much variety to the look of our forests
and landscapes that the lecture would be
addressed and more especially to their
structure and functions, OF what they have
done and are still doing for us, and, also
what they must do for us in the years to
come.
If the speaker was asked the question
what leaf il. he would answer that it was
a little fold of green bark. Take this twig
and cut down through the russell bark and
we come TO the green lining bark 1t
was this bark so simple which
made up the leaf which becomes
so complex and is made of
SO many folds. Tie speaker here rep
resented the two different coverings by lines
upon the blackboard Running beneath
this russell bark grew that part of the living
leaf when on the tree. This pushed itself
INTO the lining of the bark. This was what
gave life to the leaf. If we take several
leaves and place them side by side, it will
be found that all had forms of their own,
while all could be reduced to this particu-
lar fold, still going on until they became
wonderfully complex and wonderfully fine
Thus with regard to the origin.
In regard to their structure, they were
especially made up by being packed inside
and folded, some in moisture and others in
dry cells. Over this is found pricky or
woody substance as II covering, generally a
characteristic of its own.
In regard to character, if we take almost
! any leaf we 6,ul Il ..ri,.iv.r' l.at IA me
blade second, the leaf-stalk and third,
the carlikc parts found down at the bottom,
which are liable to be overlooked. These
characteristics were pointed out by a Heal
in the spaaker's hand. The pointed blade
or petiule, not always present, but very
| fragile and breaking away very speedily,
which is more like a leaf than the leaf itself.
In the clover-leaf it is found to be a slight
sheaf which can be drawn out into threads,
and which climbs up and assists the plant
into sunlight. Another kind of form gives
slight protection to the leaf rs seen in the
ordinary locust, keeping away the destruc.
ton of animals.
The leaf-stalk or pettUle is often absent
stands directly on the stem lip in one
case and a broad flap in another. This
gives grace and character TO the Tree. In
the case of the oak and the elm, or the
horse chesnut and the weeping willow, the
trunk is the first characteristic and then the
dropping or rigid character OF the limbs.
\ difference owing to the character
as the horse chestnut is Wrenched 10y the
strong wind. while the weeping willow
bends gracefully to the breeze. This
giyes the latter its poetic character. Ii
Short it has no grace, but it long every
breath moves it, THIS is seen in the poplar
or trembling aspen. In regard to the frame
work OF the leaf it will he found that run
ming in parallel line as in plants
will be found one strog mid-rb
running through. Skeletons We're then
shown where the packing or filling had
been taken out, leaving the framework
standing. These illustrated how the
framework was put together, and showed
the ridge poles and rafters running out in
to every part, This was beautifully shown
in the elm, beach and all fruit-bearing
trees. The different pieces are sometimes
so small us to need the use Of the micro
scope.
The leaf has drawn over it covering
of dry, thin cells for the object of keeping
The moisture in, as otherwise evaporation
would be too great. They also seemed to
know when to open and when to shut,
thus giving the ordinary process opportuni
ty to go forward in all kinds OF
weather
The important work of the leaf was then
shown. Leaves prevent everything from
going 10 decay, being antagonstic to this
wonderful oxygen in the air which would
destroy everything, and is able to take tina,
which the oxygen pulls down and holding
it up, from which structures animals anC
plants are made 1t seems wonderful, salt
the professor, that such a fragile and use
less thing should be so successful in accom-
plshing its object How it does il we can
not tell We call upon the leaf to revea
its workings, but there is no response
There is mystery which, however, W,
may to some extent unrayel. BY standin!
by and watching its progress go forwarC
we may be able to know something of it
workings. 1t is an efficient agent in tn,
building up of all organic structures. Thes'
protuberances take in the moisture of tn,
soil. This passes up the trunk of the tree
through the petiule to the leaf Along thu
ribs the crude sap puurs itself until i
comes in contact with the leaf-green, WHERE
il diffuses itself from cell to cell Her,
the transformation of color is wrought.
The earthly matter coming into contac
with the organic material the atoms of car
bon and oxygen are separated. The car
bonic acid in passing is decomposed by th
air there stored up and is dissolved int
water.
A table was shown giving the names o
the dilfercnt constituents A plant whicl
was of value to move had ten constituents
The Leaf had the largest amount of sllic'
than other substance. Many plants o
high growth are carried to high stete o
perfection by its use. II iron be absen
the leaves will grow pale and the plan
will lose all color. If iron Is added tn
70 plant freshens, grows up and produce
seed. Iron seems to be a necessary con
{. stituent of chlorifeld as it is the color
maker of the universe,
The old saying that our bodies chang
- once in seven years was hardly the correc
theory The speaker would ask where on
bodies were coming from for the comin
wear? There was scarcely fragment o