VEGETABLE STRUCTURE. 
8i 
tinflly by the parts of two VelTels taken out from the Blea, and laid in 
their natural form, as at Fig. 55, 
The ends of thcfe two Vefiels, r, d, proceed in their natural 
courfe to form two other fuch elliptical fpaces, as d, and being on each 
fide touched by others of the fame kind, and running in the fame manner 
at e tfiere mufi; neceflarily be little fpaces at the angles f, h, t, the 
fame with thofe zt. a a a a, in Figures 51, 52, 53, 54. 
These Veffels of the Blea, where they pafs one another, as at k k, Fig. 
55, do not fimply go over each other, but abfolutely inofculate, or open 
into one another; and the fame thing happens at their fides, c c, Fig. 55, 
and b b, Fig. 52, where running clofe to one another, they unite and be- 
come one Veficl. 
This is the vafcular conftrutHiion of the Blea, and it Is in the highefi: 
degree fingular ; for by this means its whole fubfiance is, in a manner, 
one mafs. The Juices palfing along many Veffels, as if they were but 
one ; and the difpofition of thefe at the fame regular diftances. Fig. 55, 
c c, throughout the whole fubfiance of the Blea, makes them form a fy- 
fiem of regular tubes, lined with their own Membranes; which appear as 
lo many large Veffels, and have, in fome degree, the effedt and office of 
fuch in the Plant. 
To know the confirudtion of the outer furface of the body of the Blea, 
or that which lies clofe to the inner Rind, it will be proper to apply larger 
magnifiers, and to work the fragment 51, with a pencil in w'ater, till we 
in fome degree get it to pieces. Fig. 52 reprefents a view of fuch a piece, 
in which I fucceeded fo far as to feparate and pufh back the outer Mem- 
brane ; and by that means obtained a better view of the Veffels. The 
Membrane, r, is thick, but colourlefs ; and it forms a very perfedl and en- 
tire coat to the Blea. This is continued alfo inward, in fcveral portions, 
always double, and furrounding all the Veffels ; and it is this which makes 
the Cells between the feveral arrangements of Veffels ; which Cells have 
themfclves been generally confidered as the Veffels of the Plant. 
This inward firudture of the compleat body of the Blea is very fingular. 
Every feries of Veffels is wrapt up in a double Membrane ; and the places 
where thev are moft plainly difiinguifhed, is w'here they join. 
We have feen how the inward Rind is connedted with the Elea ; we 
are to fee in what manner the Blea is united to, or how it communicates 
with the fubfiance next within it -, this is the Vafcular Series. It is eafily 
difiinguifhed by its greener colour, and by the fmallnefs of the Veffels. 
VoL. I. M Nature 
