STUDY XI. I53 



of Lebanon down to the violet which perfumes 

 the grove, there was not one but what prefented 

 it's large goblet, or it's tiny cup, conformably to 

 it's neceffity, or it's itation. 



This adaptation of the leaves of plants, in ele- 

 vated lituations, for receiving the defcending dif- 

 tillations of the rain, is varied without end ; but 

 the character of it is difcernible in moft, not only 

 in their concave forms, but likewife in a little ca- 

 nal, fcooped out on the pedicle by which they are 

 attached to their branches. It has fomething of a 

 refemblance to that which Nature has traced on 

 the upper lip of Man, to receive the humours 

 which defcend from the brain. It is particularly 

 perceptible on the leaves of artichokes, which, 

 being of the nature of thiftles, agree with dry 

 and fandy fituations. Thefe have, befides, col- 

 lateral awnings to prevent the lofs of any of the 

 water that falls from Heaven. Plants which 

 grow in places very hot, and very parched, fome- 

 times have their Hems or their leaves trans- 

 formed entirely into a canal. Such are the aloes 

 of the iiland of Zocotara, in the mouth of the 

 Red-Sea, or the prickly taper of the Torrid Zone. 

 The aqueduct of the aloes is horizontal, and that 

 of the taper perpendicular. 



What 



