IS 



CONCERNING 



sect* rr. 



The roots of plants are to keep them fixed m 

 the earth and to draw food from it; which they do 

 (chiefly at leaft) ty their ends which have been there- 

 lore called mouths: In general they affeft an horizontal 

 growth, for the benefit of the fun and air, and never 

 defcend above a certain depth from the furface. 



By means of the root, nourifhment proceeds through 

 the pipes and capillary conduits of plants, continually 

 from the earth, and by the aflion of the fun and air, 

 circulates, rarifies, and diftributes itfelf. This juicy 

 food, fwells the little bags, or cells (of which the- 

 fubftance of plants is compofed) and following the 

 different modifications thereof,, filtrates athwart the 

 parts. For example* That which is mod pure and fine,, 

 ferves to nourifh the flowers and fruits ; that which is 

 not fupplies the branches, and leaves, and roots-; the 

 moft grofsand earthy ferves for the bark; and the mofi 

 oily is for gum and rofin* Juft the fame as we find it ir* 

 animals, where the food they receive into the ftomach 

 paffes afterwards into the blood, circulates into the vef~ 

 fels, and purfuing its different degrees of attenuation, 

 ferves to nourifh the different parts of the body. 



The stems or trunks of plants are for the fivpport 

 of the head, and to convey juices from the roots up- 

 wards for the leaves, branches, &c. and are compofed 

 (as the roots) of bladders, and various conduits for 

 air, fap, &c. perpendicular, fpiral, and horizontal from 

 the pith to the bark. Thefe veffels may be fomewhat 

 feen with the naked eye, as in flices of the young 

 (hoots of nut, apple tree, and vine, but very evidently 

 by a microfcope* It is obfervable, that fome plants 

 which are weak and pipy have knots at proper diflances 

 to ftrengthen them, and others have clafpers to hold 

 them up ; while others are robuit enough in ilem to 

 brave the fury of atempeft. 



The leaves of plants are very Tarioufly, but 

 beautifully conftrufted in their form and fubilance; 

 and if we confider them as attracting nourifhment 



from 



