C * ] 



hot countries, arc deftined to more 

 than one purpofe. Such a great 

 apparatus, which nature difplays as 

 foon as the fun begins to afford a 

 certain degree of warmth upon the 

 furface of the earth, can fcarcely be 

 coniidered as folely deftined either 

 to ornament, to nourifhment of the 

 plant, to its growth, to ripen its 

 fruit, or for any other peculiar 

 and iingle ufe. It feems proba- 

 ble, that they are ufeful to the 

 growth of the tree ; for, by depriv- 

 ing the tree of all its leaves, it is 

 in danger of decay. By taking a 

 coniiderable part of the leaves from 

 a fruit tree, the fruit is lefs perfedt j 

 and by taking them all away, the 

 fruit decays and falls before its ma- 

 turity. It is alfo probable, that the 

 tree receives fome advantage from 

 the leaves abforbing, by their means^ 



moiiture 



