Reminiscences of Samuel Taylor Coleridge and Robert Southey . if earth be its source, how is it thatearth-seeking, and hollow plants, with their epidermis ofsilex, should arise in soils that are not sihcious ? beingequally predominant, whether the soil be calcareous,argillaceous, or loamy. The decomposition of decayedanimal and vegetable substances, doubtless composes therichest superficial mould; but this soil, so favorable forvegetation, gives the reed as much silex, but no more,in proportion to the size of the stalk, than the sameplants growing in mountainous districts, and primitivesoils.

Reminiscences of Samuel Taylor Coleridge and Robert Southey . if earth be its source, how is it thatearth-seeking, and hollow plants, with their epidermis ofsilex, should arise in soils that are not sihcious ? beingequally predominant, whether the soil be calcareous,argillaceous, or loamy. The decomposition of decayedanimal and vegetable substances, doubtless composes therichest superficial mould; but this soil, so favorable forvegetation, gives the reed as much silex, but no more,in proportion to the size of the stalk, than the sameplants growing in mountainous districts, and primitivesoils. Stock Photo
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Reminiscences of Samuel Taylor Coleridge and Robert Southey . if earth be its source, how is it thatearth-seeking, and hollow plants, with their epidermis ofsilex, should arise in soils that are not sihcious ? beingequally predominant, whether the soil be calcareous, argillaceous, or loamy. The decomposition of decayedanimal and vegetable substances, doubtless composes therichest superficial mould; but this soil, so favorable forvegetation, gives the reed as much silex, but no more, in proportion to the size of the stalk, than the sameplants growing in mountainous districts, and primitivesoils. It is to be regretted, that the solution of thesequestions, with others that might be enumerated, hadnot occupied the profoundly investigating spirit of Mr.Davy; but which subjects now offer an ample scope forother philosophical speculators. It is a demonstrative confirmation of the accuracy ofMr, Davys reasoning, that a few years ago, after theburning of a large mow, in the neighbom-hood of Bristol, a stratum of pure, compact, vitrified silex appeared at T. REMINISCENCES OF the bottom, forming one continuous sheet, nearly aninch in thickness. I secured a portion, which, with asteel, produced an abundance of bright sparks. Upon Mr. Coleridge^a^ return from_ the norths toBristol, where he meant to make some little stay, I feltpecuHar pleasure in introducing him to young Mr. Davy.The interview was mutually agreeable, and that whichdoes not often occur, notwithstanding their raisedexpectations, each, afterward, in referring to the other, expressed to me the opinion, that his anticipations hadbeen surpassed. They frequently met each other undermy roof, and their conversations were often briUiant;intermixed, occasionally, with references to the scenes oftheir past lives. Mr. Davy told of a Cornish young man, of philoso-phical habits, who had adopted the opinion that a firmmind might endure in silence, any degree of pain:showing the supremacy of mind over matter. Histheory once met wit