VEGETABLE STRUCTURE. 
51 
Fibre is produced from the body of the Root ; for tho’ we have been ob- 
liged in the duecourfe of enquiry to begin at the extremity of the Fibre, and 
follow it to the Rootj that Fibre is, in the courfe of Nature, produced 
from the body of the Root, not the body of the Root from it. We are 
therefore now to change the courfe of examination, and conlider the body 
of the Root : and are to trace this Fibre carefully from it. 
CHAP. X. 
The Const RUCTION of the Body of the Root. 
' s^flE body of the Root in Hellebore is fmall ; rot tuberous, nor bul- 
bous, nor of any determinate form ; but a mere oblong, fimple lump, 
irregular in fliape, and compoled of the fame parts with the Fibres, which 
are thus difpofed. 
In the center is lodged a conliderable quantity of Pith, inclofed in the 
Flefli and its Coats, and there kept diftind: and feparate from all other 
parts; having no connedion with, nor continuation into any of them. 
This Pith follows the courfe of the Root in all its irregularities, at an 
equal depth within, and equal diftance from its furface ; nowhere com- 
ing within an eighth of an inch of the Rind, nor any nearer at the ends 
than elfewhere. Fig. 16. a. b. We fee it is a mere exfudation of the 
flelhy fubdance of the Root, which furrounds it ; produced from that, 
and producing nothing. This Pith is of a whitifli colour, with a tinge of 
yellow. i6. i. 
Just upon the verge of the Pith run the conic clufters of Veflels, fcarce 
feen in a longitudinal fedion. 16. 2. The fubftance covering thefe is very 
firm, as broad as a fmall twine, and of a greenifh yellov/. Fig. 16. 3. 
This is the Flefh of the Root, and in the prefent inftance it is very foliT 
It is eafy to fee by the connedion of the Pith with this, that it is its proper 
lining ; and is regularly produced from it. 
This flefhy coat follows the courfe of the Pith, and in many places 
(hoots proceffes of its own fubftance into it, and even thro’ it, appearing , 
like lines in a map, or letters of the alphabet. 15 c. Thefe ferve to fup- 
port the two fides of the Flefla, at equal diftance, where the Pith would 
not have ftrength enough to do it ; and they divide it in a manner into fo 
H 2 many 
