

716 Of Vegetation. 



more proper medium, wherein to prepare 

 and combine the more exalted principles of 

 Vegetables, than the groffer watry fluid of 

 the fap; and for the fame reafon, 'tis likely, 

 that the mod refined and active principles 

 of Animals are alfo prepared in the air, and 

 thence conveyed through the lungs into the 

 blood ; and that there is plenty of thefe 

 fulphureo-aereai particles in the leaves, is 

 evident from the fulphureous exudations, 

 which are found at the edges of leaves, 

 which Bees are obferved to make their waxen 

 cells of, as w T ell as of the duft of flowers: 

 And that wax abounds with fulphur is plain, 

 from its burning freely, &c. 



We may therefore reafonably conclude, 

 that one great ufe of leaves is what has been 

 long fufpected by many, viz. to perform in 

 fome rneafure the fame office for the fup- 

 port of the vegetable life, that the lungs of 

 Animals do, for the fupport of the animal 

 life ; Plants very probably drawing through 

 their leaves fome part of their nourifhment 

 from the air. 



But as plants have not a dilating and con- 

 tracting Thorax, their infpirations and expi- 

 rations will not be fo frequent as thofe of 

 jftnimals. but depend wholly on {he alter- 

 nate 



