( 4 8 7 ) 
per Element. In Fre/h Waters are the Water-LiUys, 
Plantains, &c. and in the Sea, Corals, Fttci, &c. 
Plants feem to poflefs only the next degree of Life be- 
low the moft ftupid Animal ; or where Animal Life leaves 
off the Vegetable Life feems to begin. 
The Seafons of Motion in Plants are the fame with 
thofe of Animals , which fleep during the Winter. An 
Artificial Heat will give Motion to either of thefe in the 
Coldeft time. 
The common Opinions relating to the Saps Motion 
are as follows. Firft, The Sap does not rife by the Pith $ 
becaufe fome have obferv’d the Trunks of large Trees to be 
without that part, and yet the fame Trees have continued 
to put forth Fruit, and Branches on their Tops. I have 
obferv’d, that the Pith is not found in thofe Branches 
of a Tree which exceed two or three Years growth ; and 
it is certain, that the Pith which is in a Branch of this 
Year, will (the greateft part of it) be diftributed into 
thofe Boughs which form themfelves the next Sea* 
fon. 
It is faid by fome, that the Tree does not receive 
its Nourifhment by the Bark , for that Trees having loft 
that part, will ftill continue their Growth. Others tell 
us, that if the Bark be cut away round the Trunk of a 
Tree, it will prefently die. Thefe various opinions feem 
to have been fet on foot without extraordinary Confix 
deration, upon the belief that a Tree has but one Bark : 
Whereas, upon Examination with ‘the Microfcope, we 
find four diftinft Coverings to each Branch, without the 
woody parts. The two outermoft Barks may be taken 
from a Tree without great Damage, but the other two 
which lye nearer the Wood being ftrip’d off will kill 
the Tree. 
Some affirm, that the Sap doth neither rife npr fall in 
the woody part of a Tree, becaufe they have not been 
F fff 2 able 
