3 4*> Of Vegetation. 



If thefe Experiments on leaves were further 

 purfued, there might probably be many curi- 

 ous obfervations made in relation to the fhape 

 of leaves, by obferving the difference of the 

 progreffive and lateral motions of thefe points 

 in different leaves, that were of very different 

 lengths in proportion to their breadths. 



That the force of dilating fap and air, in- 

 cluded in the innumerable little veficles of 

 young tender fhoots and leaves, is abundantly 

 fufficientfor the extending of fhoots, and ex- 

 panding of leaves j we have evident proof 

 from the great force we find in the fap of the 

 Vine, chap. 3. and from the vaft force with 

 which infinuating moifture expanded the 

 Peas. Experiment 3 2. we fee the great power 

 of expanding water, when heated in the 

 engine to raife water by fire -, and water with 

 air and other active particles inxapillary tubes, 

 and innumerable fmall veficles, do doubtlefs 

 ad with a great force, tho' expanded with 

 no more heat than what the fun's warmth 

 gives them. 



And thus we fee that Nature exerts a con- 

 fiderable, tho' fecret and filent power, in car- 

 rying on all her productions; which demon- 

 ftrates the wifdom of the Author of nature, 

 in giving fuch due proportion and direction 



to 



