SECT. II. r VEGETATION. 1? 



and if any fruit appear, it proceeds slowly in growth, 

 and is ill flavoured. The quantity of nutriment 

 which a plant derives from the earth, is in propor- 

 tion to the number and size of its leaves; thus that 

 they may uninterruptedly perform their offices, they 

 are distributed in a very distinct and separate mode. 



The under and upper part of leaves are different, 

 snd have separate offices ; the under is rough and 

 porous, as if adapted to imbibe the rising moisture 

 of night dews ; and the upper, or closer, to exclude 

 the grosser, parts of the atmosphere, and to imbibe 

 some finer food, as to " draw the live ether." Thus 

 leaves will not endure to be reversed, as is seen by 

 the certain and quick return to their right position, 

 when forced from it, and till this is effected, they 

 perform not the proper functions of nature. 



That the glossy surface of leaves have an intimate 

 connection with the light is evident, as they rise and 

 fall (in a degree, some plants more and others less) 

 as the sun moves. If they are turned from the light 

 they twist themselves towards it, as if they had en- 

 joyment, and were conscious of the benefit The 

 curious will meet with gratification relative to this 

 subject, by consulting Hill's Tract On the Sleep of 

 Plants ; or his gardening for October : See his 

 Eden, folio. 



One of the offices of leaves, seems to be, to sub- 

 tilize, and give more 'spirit to the abundance of nou- 

 rishing sap, and to convey it to the little buds at their 

 foot stalk, to whose welfare they are essential. 



If the texture of the leaves be scrutinized, they 

 are found curiously ramified ; the ribs and fibres of 

 each seeming much like a spreading plant. The 

 ramifications hold a close communication with each 

 other ; so that the principal rib sends out lateral 

 ones less strong, and they again an infinite number 

 ^f fine ones in all directions ; and these are vessels 



