VEGETABLE STRUCTURE. 
71 
net from the diftance of the afcending Veffels, and the frequency of the 
crofs-bars : but thefe are notwithhanding ftrait, and not arched as in the 
Hellebore. The fringed openings are difpofed and conftruded juft as in 
the Hellebore. 
In the Bark of the Black Currant they are in the fame manner formed 
into a net of broad fhort mefhes, but with fomewhat arched divifions: and 
the whole furface of the Veflels on the inner fide is pierced with fmall 
holes, with a few fringed hairs about them. 
The uniformity of Nature in the eftential part of the conftrudtion of 
thefe various Barks may ihew there is one general form, and one certain 
office, in this part of Vegetables, which is alike performed by all, and for 
which it is in all Plants deftined and ordained. From the extreme Fibres 
of the Root the Veftels of this Bark carry up Juices, in a fhort courfe, to 
that part in which they terminate, which is ufually the Cup of the Flower ; 
in their way dilcharge part of their contents into the interface between the 
outer and inner Rind ; which matter fo difcharged, has not the colour or 
conliftence of that carried along in the Veflels ; and therefore we may 
reafonably fuppofe it is not difcharged Amply from their cavity, but paf- 
fes thro’ minute Glands feated at the oriAces. Doubtlefs this once con- 
codled aliment is received into the interior part of the Plant ; not difcharged 
to wafte. That thefe Veflels receive more than they are deftined to carry 
to the extremity of the Plant, is evident j for in thofe fpecies whofe aper- 
tures are fmall inward,, hairs, as they are called, rife outward on the Stalk, 
which are only Ample tubes, difeharging, during the heat of the day, a 
part of their Juice. So far as I have yet obferved, where hairs are want- 
ing, there are parts of the Veffels which rife fpungy to the exterior fur- 
face, and ftretch the Membrane till it cracks over them : thefe anfwer 
the fame purpofe as the hairs on others, in throwing off a part of the Juice j 
and they can alfo imbibe. 1 have tied up the bottom of a Narcllfus Stalk 
to the neck of the Flower, and fetting only the entire arch in water, the 
Plant has been tolerably well fupported : unopened Flowers have blown 
from this nourifhment, and the general tuft of Bloom has lafted nearly as. 
long as in thofe which had the cut end of the Stalk plunged in the wa- 
ter. 
CHAP. 
