CHAP, in S Y L V A 57 



20. In the young branches and twigs of trees there 

 is a pith in the middle, which in some, as ash, and 

 especially elder, equals, or exceeds in dimensions the 

 rest of the substance, but waxes less as they grow 

 bigger, and in the great boughs and trunk scarce is 

 to be found : This gives way for the growth of the 

 inward rings, which at first were less than the outer 

 (as may be seen in any shoot of the first year) and 

 after grow thicker, being it self absum'd, or perhaps 

 converted into wood ; as it is certain cartilages or 

 gristles are into bones (in the bodies of animals) from 

 which to sense they differ even as much as pith from 

 wood. 



These rings or spaces appearing upon transverse 

 section (as they appear elliptical upon oblique and 

 straight lines upon direct section) are no other than 

 the extremities of so many integuments, investing the 

 whole tree, and (perhaps) all the boughs that are of 

 the same age with any of them, or older. 



The growth of trees augmentation in all dimensions 

 is acquired, not only by accession of a new integument 

 yearly, but also by the reception of nourishment into 

 the pores and substance of the rest, upon which they 

 also become thicker ; not only those towards the 

 middle, but also the rest, in a thriving tree : Yet the 

 principal growth is between the bark and body, by 

 accession of a new integument yearly, as hath been 

 mentioned : Whence the cutting of the bark of any 

 tree or bough round about, will certainly kill it. 



The bark of a tree is distinguished into rings, or 

 integuments, no less than the wood, though much 

 smaller or thinner, and therefore not distinguishable, 

 except in the thick barks of great old trees, and 

 toward the inside next the wood ; the outer parts 



HH 



