174 Of Vegetation, 
And where the lateral branches are very 
vigorous, fo as to make ftrong fhoots, and 
attract the nourifhment plentifully, there the 
tree ufually abates in its height : But where 
the tree prevails in height, as in groves, there 
commonly its lateral branches are fmalleft. 
So that we may look upon a tree as a com- 
plicated Engine which has as many different 
powers as it has arms and branches, each 
drawing from their common fountain of 
life the root : and the whole of each yearly 
growth of the tree will be proportionable 
to the fum of their attra&ing powers, and 
the quantity of nourilhment the root affords : 
But this attracting power and nourifhment 
will be more or lefs, according to the diffe- 
rent ages of the tree, and the more or lefs 
kindly feafons of the year. 
And the proportional growth of their la- 
teral and top branches, in relation to each 
other, will much depend on the difference 
of their feveral attracting powers. If the 
perfpiration and attraction of the lateral 
branches is little or nothing, as in woods 
and groves, then the top branches will 
mightily prevail; but when in a free open 
air, the perfpiration and attraction of the 
lateral branches comes nearer to an equality 
with 
