182 



fe a fresh elastic air into the plant, .\vlrirh" prepares 

 and subtilizes the sap, and probably colours it, besides 

 contributing to its motion : the superfluous matter, or 

 that part which is not so proper to be mixed with the 

 plant, is conveyed to the surface of the leaves, whence 

 ,it evaporates by an insensible, but very copious transpi- 

 ration. Globules, vesicles, or other excretory organs, 

 which are distributed among the young shoots or' leaves, 

 procure an evacuation of the grosser matter, and such 

 as is of a stronger consistence. 



The animal is nourished by the incorporation of ID at- 

 ter which proceeds from without: this matter is very 

 heterogeneous. Being received by the mouth, it is con- 

 veyed into the stomach.-- and intestines, where it under- 

 goes different preparations: it passes into the lacteal 

 veiris, and their dependencies, or in other like vessels*, 

 whereby it is transmitted into the blood-vessels, where 

 it appears under the form of a fluid, more or less co- 

 loured, or flowing. The ramifications of the blood- 

 vessels afterwards disperse it into all parts, with \vhich 

 it incorporates iiself by new preparations. 



Pipes composed of cartiilaginous rings, or of a silvered 

 and elastic blade, turned spiral-wise, communicate wit ft 

 the blood-vessels, or follow them in their course. As 

 they are appropriated to respiration, they introduce 

 to the animal a fresh and elastic air, which prepares, at- 

 tenuates, and probably colours tiie blood, contributing 

 likewise to its motion. The superfluous matter, or 

 such part of it as is improper to be united with the ani- 

 mal, is carried to the surface of the shin, from whence it 

 evaporates by an insensible, but very copious transpira- 

 tion. Glands, or other emunctory organs, placed in 

 different parts of the body, procure the evacuation of 

 the grosser matter. 



6. The plant grows by unfolding, or the gradual ex- 

 tension of its parts in length and width : this extension 

 is followed by a certain degree of hardness, contracted 

 l>y the fibres. It diminishes as the hardness increases: 



3 



