^6 VEGETABLE STRUCTURE. 
In moft Plants tbefe Fibres of the Root run to an extreme length ; 
and terminate too fmall for fight, and too tender to be taken entire out of 
the earth. Thefe, therefore, we could not examine : but in the Hel- 
lebore the Fibres of the Root are not more than five or fix inches long j 
they may be taken out of the ground entire ; and their extreme termi- 
nations are as thick as a large pin. Therefore they can be examined eafily. 
See Plate I. where the Plant is reprefented in its natural fize, and with all 
its parts. 
C II A P. V. 
The Prepar.'vtion of a Fresh Root of Hellebore 
for this Enquiry. 
N the firfl day of January, 1759, I dug about a Plant of Black Hel- 
lebore, at eight inches diftance every way, clearing out the mould to 
two fpades deep ; then getting the fpade under the ball of earth left with 
the Root, raifed it entire. I laid this ball, with the Plant in it, under the 
I'pout of a pump, and pumped on it gently, cleaning at the fame time be- 
tween the parts with a Camel’s Hair Pencil, till all the earth was waflied 
away ; and the uninjured Fibres were left clean and entire. 
1'his is the Root which I have defigned in the annexed Plate, with the 
entire Plant growing from it. 
CHAP. VI. 
Exa.mination of a Fibre. 
T^ROM this Root taking off a Fibre near its head, we fee it is thick at 
the top, gradually diminifliing to the other end ; and at different dif- 
tances from the body of the Root it has three diftind: appearances. If we 
make an imaginary divifion of its length into three parts, as at Plate II. 
Fig. I. — I, 2, 3. we fhall fee it is of a pale brown, and fmooth, the firfi; 
third of its length ; the fecond part is of a duikier brown, and fhaggy j and 
the third portion is fmooth, whitifh, and nearly pellucid. It fends out no 
fub- 
