Of Vegetation. 331 



growth, when I marked it : The next joint, 

 from r to n, being younger, extended fome- 

 thing more ; and the third joynt from n to k 

 extended from % of an inch, to 5 -f" * 

 inches 5 but from k to h, the very tender 

 joynt, which was but % inch long, when I 

 marked it, was when full grown three inches 

 long. 



We may obferve, that nature in order 

 to furnifh thefe young growing fhoots with 

 plenty of du&ile matter is very careful to 

 furnifh at fmall diftances the young fhoots 

 of all forts of trees , with many leaves 

 throughout their whole length, which ferv^ 

 as fo many joyntly afting powers placed at 

 different flations, thereby to draw with more 

 eafe plenty of fap to the extending ihoot. 



The like provifion has nature made in 

 the Corn, Grafs, Cane, and Reed kind ; the 

 leafy fpires, which draw the nourifhment 

 to each joynt, being provided long before 

 the ftem fhoots, which flender ftem in 

 its tender dudile ftate would mod eafiiy 

 break and dry up too foon , fo as to pre- 

 vent its due growth, had not nature to 

 prevent both thefe inconveniences provided 

 ftrong Thecas or Scabbards ; which both fup ■ 



port 



