VEGETABLE STRUCTURE. 
177 
Pots, thefe Roots, when they have reached the bottom, turn up again, 
fpread themfelves thro’ the body of Mould, and run up to the furface. 
These Fibres rife in two, three, or more circles, round about the FleHiy 
Bale of the Crown ; none from its bottom j that becomes callous, and is 
wholly ufekfs to the growth. 
In this Bafe, and in the Fibres, equally, we may trace, by a careful 
examination, fix of the feven conflituent parts of Plants. The Pith alone 
is wanting ; This is wanting entirely ; and we have here a proof of the 
dodtrine before eflablidied, tho’ it be contrary to the received opinions, 
namely, that the Pith is not an ehential part of Plants j fince here is one 
without it. 
The difpofition of the parts in the Pineapple is not exadtly as in other 
Plants, but is peculiarly adapted to the nature of the growth. Whether 
we examine a Fibre of the Root, the original bafe of the Crown, or the 
riling Stalk, which is a continuation, or farther growth of that bafe, we 
fee the fame conhrudlion ; nay, we may trace it thro’ the Fruit itfelf. 
The beffc part for examination is the ^talk. A thin flice of this laid be- 
fore a fufficient magnifying power, hiews diftindlly, 1. a thin colourlcfs 
outer Bark j 2. a thick green inner Rind; a thin Coat of pure Blea ; 
this is of the colour and afpedl cf a fine rich Jelly, a little tinged from 
the inner Rind. The Fklh of the Plant follows but this is very fingular- 
ly difpofed ; it is not connedted into a body, nor does it make a regular 
circle in the Stalk. We know the Flefli in all Plants is vafcular ; and in 
this fpecies the VelTels are dihindl:. They are as thick as a fmall Twine ; 
yellowilh in colour, and plainly hollow ; and thefe with a large proportion 
of the Elea, make up the body of the Stalk. 1 he two more delicate parts 
remaining are to be feen only with'great magnifiers, for they are both mi- 
nute. Upon the Coats of thofe Veffcls which are nearefi: the outer fur- 
face of the Stalk, runs the feparated Vafcnlar Series ; and on the inner fur- 
faces of thofe near the center, and thofe only run the Conic Clufters. 
The firfl: are pale browm, the fecond green ; fo their colour ferves to dif- 
tinguifh them ; the abfolute Flelh Veficls being yellowifli. 
It may appear fingular, that the Blea of the Stalk in this Plant takes 
the place of Pith, for fo it does, mixing itfelf every where between and 
among the Fibres, and occupying even the center. But neither this difpo- 
fition of that part, nor its quality, will furprize us, when by tracing the 
courfe farther, we find this Blea is deftined to make the Pulp of the Fruit. 
If we fplit the new-planted Crown of a Pineapple foon after it has 
begun to grow, we fhall find the Flefhy Lump within, beginning to lengthen 
VoL. I. A a into 
