183 



it entirely ceases when the fibres are so far hardened as 

 not to yield to ilie force which tends to enlarge their 

 surface* 



The plants which become hardened the latest, are 

 those which are the longest time in growing. Her /is 

 'grow and harden faster than trees: some of them cease 

 lo grow at the end of a few weeks, or even a few days. 

 Among the last, some continue to grow fon a great 

 number of years, and even for ages. 



We observe analogous differences between individuals 

 of the same species : some harden sooner, grow in a 

 less degree, or continue smaller ; others harden later, 

 and become larger. 



The bud has nothing ligneou$ or woody in it : being 

 hvrlaceoitf in every part of its substance, it becomes 

 ligneous by degrees. Its stalk is formed of a prodigi- 

 ous number of concentric blades one in another, which 

 are disposed according to its length,, and compose dif- 

 ferent bundles of fibres, which are themselves formed 

 of a prodigious number -of lesser fibres. 



At the centre of the stalk is placed the pith ; and the 

 spaces which aie left between the blades, are likewise 

 filled with a pithy substance. 



From the thickness of the blades results its growtli in 

 width ; from the lengthening of the blades its growth ia 

 Jen<,- Lii proceeds: all the blades grow and harden one 

 after another: every blade grows and hardens alike suc- 

 cessively throughout its whole length. That part of 

 every blade which grows and hardens first of all, is 

 that which composes the base of the stalk: the blade, 

 which grows and hardens first is the Innermost, or that 

 which immediately encompasses the pith. This blade is 

 again covered with another, which being more ductile, 

 extends itself the more : a third blade incloses this last, 

 which, as it hardens still later, is a longer time iii its 

 growth : the case is the same with regard to a fourth, 

 fifth, or sixth. All these, thus diminishing ia thickness, 

 and inclining towards the axis of the stalk as they ap- 

 proach its upper extremity, form so many little eoues 



