304 . 1>HIL0S0PHICAL TRANSACTIONS. [aNNO l66g. 



Experiments a?id Observations on Vegetation and theRunning of Sap, ^c. 

 By Dr. J. Beal and Dr. E. Tonge. N" 43, p. 853. 



Dr. B. says it may be difficult to enumerate all the vegetables that will grow 

 the wrong end set downwards in the ground. To mention some, there are 

 elders, briars, saloes, willows, the black elder, vines, and most shrubs; two 

 or three of their joints being covered in the mould, and the stem cut off near 

 the overmost joint, which should be half covered in the earth, and the mould 

 somewhat raised as it grows. Dr. Tonge agrees, saying, that currant trees, 

 and such like, as are of a soft wood, and quick growers, seem most apt to this 

 improvement. 



Dr. B. observes, that the branch of a plant, being laid in the ground, whilst 

 yet growing on the tree, and there taking root, being cut off whilst so growing, 

 will grow on both ends, if it be well rooted, and the like care taken of the last 

 knot or joint as was before prescribed. Dr. T. says, that layers of those trees, 

 mentioned in the former query, will grow on both ends, and aptly parted, when 

 they have spread roots both ways, make two plants out of each layer. 



Dr. B. says, in the tapping of trees, the juice certainly ascends from the root, 

 •and after it is concocted to partake of the nature of the plant, which feeds as 

 well on the air as the juice furnished through the root, it descends to the orifice 

 whence it issues. Ratray, the learned Scot, affirms, that he had calculated 

 experimentally, that the liquor, which may be drawn from the birch in the 

 spring time, is equiponderant to the whole weight of the tree, branches, roots, 

 and all together. One experiment I must here mention. When both my hands 

 were manacled for many years, and sometimes my arms also, with deep corroding 

 tetters, to the blush of my many friendly physicians, and in despite of many 

 of the best medicines and purgations, all was suddenly healed, and has so 

 continued these 2,0 years, by the application of the gum of plum-trees dissolved 

 in vinegar. I must not forget to add, that I applied vine-leaves, and some- 

 times opened raisins to draw a moisture from those tetters some few days before 

 I used the gum. 



Dr. T. is of opinion that sap always rises, and never properly descends, 

 having only a kind of subsiding or recidivation, which he cannot call a circula- 

 tion, nor resemble to the motion of liquors in a pelican ; but rather to the 

 sinking of liquors in an alembic, whilst the thinner parts are forced over the 

 helm ; yet somewhat imitating the motion of blood in animals, forasmuch as it 

 continually supplies the want and expense of sap in the exterior parts, from the 

 stock of the sap in the trunk, root, and branches. He understands it thus ; 

 That the sap necessary to the growth of the leaves, fruit, and upper branches. 



