155 



has uncovered ; we observe the curvino", 

 at and about that mark is trifling, but 

 very different to the left of it; which evi- 

 dently shews, that the branch Avas living 

 in one case, and dead in the other. No. 

 5 — 5, are the bases of branches, that grew 

 in different directions. No. 6 — 6, is the 

 core of the tree, which happens to appear 

 in these places only. No. 7- 7. 7, is the 

 core of the branches. 



Nothing perhaps more clearly demon- 

 strates the first sort of damage done 

 by useless branches, than the plate 

 which has just been explained. We 

 may, therefore, proceed to inquire, what 

 purposes nature meant to serve, by 

 placing branches upon trees ; for if we 

 possess clear ideas of that point, it will 

 be known when they may be displaced with 

 advantage. 



Branches seem to be the means of pro- 

 ducing, and maintaining a certain quan- 



