TO BOTANY". Hi. 



CHAP. VIII. 

 OF THE FULCRA OF PLANTS. 



FULCRUM, a prop, is a term used to express those 

 "small parts of plants, of which the chief use is to 

 strengthen and support them. 



Fulcra are of seven kinds, viz. Stipula, Bractea, 

 Spina, Aculeus, Cirrhus, Glandula and Pilus ; all 

 which we shall explain in their order 



STIPULA, is a scale or small leaf, stationed on 

 each side of the base of the petioles or peduncles 

 when they are first appearing ; as in papilionaceous 

 flowers ; and also in Tamarindus, Cassia, Rosa, Me- 

 lianthus, Liriodendron, Armeniaca, Persica, Padus, 

 and others. 



BRACTEA, a floral leaf, is so called when it differs 

 in shape and colour from the rest ; as in Tilia, Fu- 

 maria bulbosa, Stoechas and Horminum. 



Spina, a thorn, is a kind of sharp weapon or ar- 

 mature, protruded from the wood of the plant ; as in 

 Prunus, Rhamnus, Hippophae, Celastrus and Lyci- 

 urn : it will often disappear by culture ; as in Pyrus. 



ACULEUS, a prickle, is the same sort of armature, 

 proceeding from the cortex of the plant only ; as in 

 Rosa, Rubus, Ribes and Berberis. 



CIRRHUS, a clasper or tendril, is a filiform spiral 

 band, by which a plant fastens itself to any other 

 body ; as in Vitis, Bannisteria, Cardiospermum, Pi- 

 sum and Bignonia. 



GLANDULA, a white gland, is a kind of pap or 

 teat, serving for. the excretion of some humour : its 

 situation is commonly on the petioles, the serratures 

 of the leaves, or the tender stipulae. 



PILUS, a hair, 1 * is a sort of bristle, serving as an 

 excretory duct to the plants. 



