VBGETATioy. [Lemn xxxiv. 



jfrnds them from injuries, inhales the moisture of 

 the air and conveys from the Plant the superfluous 

 humid particles. The bark (as well as the 

 wood) is supplied with innumerable vessels, which. 

 convey the fluids to and from every part of the 

 Plant: the wood aUo is furnished with others,. 

 which contain air,, ami are distributed through its- 

 substance. The stability of trees and shrubs con- 

 sists in the wood, which corresponds with the 

 bones of animals. The pith, which is a fine tissue 

 of vessels originating in the centre of the stem, is 

 supposed to be the seat of life. The fluids of 

 Plants are : the sap, analogous to the blood of 

 animals, and the proper juice, which is of various 

 colours and consistence, in different individuals ; 

 as white or milky in the dandelion, resinous in 

 the fir, and producing gum in cherry or plum 

 trees 



The leaves contribute both to the benefit and 

 the ornament of the plant : they are supposed to 

 answer the purpose of lungs ; and by their readi- 

 ness to be moved by the wind, they may in some 

 measure act the part of muscles. They are very 

 porous on both their surfaces, and inhale and ex- 

 hale freely. In some Plants (as Venus's Fly-trap), 

 the leaves are armed with long teeth, like the an* 

 tenna of insects : they are so irritable, that when 

 an insect creeps up them, they fold 1 up, and 

 crush or pierce it to death. 



The uses of th flowers and seed, are too evident 

 to need enumeration. 



The most general method of propagating Plants 



is 



