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IV. The PROPS, (fulcra) a terra used to express those 
external parts which strengthen, support, or defend the plants 
on which they are found, or serve to facilitate some necessary 
secretion ; and are as follow : 
1st. Petiqeus* the footstalk or support of a leaf. 
Qd. Pedu-ncVlus, the footstalk or support of a flower. 
3d. Stipula, (haulm or husk) a sort of scale or small leaf, 
stationed in most plants (when present) on each side the base 
of the footstalk of leaves and flowers, at their -first appear¬ 
ance, for the purpose of support: They are placed either 
single or double, and sometimes on the inside, as in the Jig 
and mulberry; or on the outside, as in the birch, Mine, and 
papilionaceous flowers : They are also either sitting, extended 
downwards* or sheathing along the stem, as in the plane tree. 
As to duration, they sometimes fall before the leaves, and 
sometimes are equally permanent: They often afford a good 
distinction for the species. 
4th. Cirrus,( a curl) meaning a clasper* or tendril; being 
the fine spiral string or fibre* by which plants fasten them¬ 
selves to some other body for support: They are sometimes 
placed opposite the leaves, sometimes at the side of the 
footstalks of the leaves, and sometimes issue from the leaves 
themselves; and sometimes they put out roots, as in ivy, foe, 
5th. Pubes* (hair or down) a term to express the bail 5 , 
down, wool, beard, bristles, glands, and several other appear¬ 
ances, on different parts of plants, serving the double purpose 
of defence and vessels of secretion. 
6th. Arma, (arms) the defensive weapons of plants; which 
are either spina, (a thorn) protruded from the wood of the 
plant; aculeus, (a prickle) proceeding from the cortex or 
' .. . ; .. . - ... 
* Plants that support themselves by ciaspers , catch hold of any thing in their 
\vay for that purpose; and are different from the twining plants, which support 
themselves by the twisting of the stalk, though both may be called elimbing plants* 
—See explanation to class Diadelpkia. * 
