
Book L of Pleat 


22 

30. g. Ofthe Lignous Body it is fo apparent by its Pores, or ra- 
ther by its Vefels, that we need no farther Evidence. For to what 
end are Veféls, but for the conveyance of Liquor? And is that alfo, 
which upon cutting the young Branch of a Sappy Tree or Herb, by 
an accurate and fteady view may be obferved. But when I fay 
the Veffels of the Lignous Body, 1 mean principally them- of the 
younger footings, both thofe which make the ew Ring, and thofe 
which are mixed with the Cortical Body in the Barque : that which 
afcendeth by the Pores or Veffels of the Wood, being probably, be- 
caufe in lef§ quantity, more in form of a Vapour, than a'Liquor. Yet 
that which drenching into the fides of its Pores, is with all thereunto 
fafficient Aliment 5 as we fee Orpize, Onions, Gc. only ftanding in 
a moyfter Aer will often grow. And being likewife in part fupplied 
by the Infertions from the younger Shoots: But efpecially becaule as 
it is but little, fo (confidered as Aliment) it ferveth only for the 
growth of the Wood, and no more 5 whereas, the more copious Ali- 
ment afcendent by the younger Shoots, fubferves not only their own 
rowth, but the generation of others 5 and is befides with that in the 
Cortical Body the Fountain of Perfpirations, which we know even in 
Animals are much more abundant: than the Nutritive Parts;. and 
doubtlefs in a Vegetable are {till much niore. 
31. §. But thefe Pores, although they are a free and open way 
to the afcending sap; yet that meer Pores or Vefels fhould be able of 
themfelves to advance the Sap with that fpeed, {trength and plenty, 
and to that height, as is neceflary, cannot probably be fuppofed. It 
follows then, that herein we mutt grant the Pith a joynt fervice. And 
why elfe is the Pith in all Primitive Growihs the moft Sappy part, why 
hath it fo greata ftock of Sap, if not, after due maturation within it 
felf, (till to be disburfed into the Fibres of the Lignons Body 2 Why 
are the Annual Growths ofall both Herbs and Trees, with great Piths, 
the quickeft and the longeft? But how are the Pores or Bladders 
of the Pith permeable? That they are fo, both from their being ea- 
pable of a repletion with Sap, and of being again wholly emptied of 
it, and again, inftead thereof fill’d with Aer, is as certain as that they 
are Pores. That they are permeable, by the breadth, appears from 
the dilatation of the Ligvous Body, and from the produdtion of Braz- 
ches, as hath been, and (hall hereafter be faid. And how elfe is there 
a Communion betwixt Th# and the Cortical Body? That they are fo 
alfo, by the length, is probable, becaufe by the beft Micro/cope we 
cannot yet obferve, that they are vifibly more open by the breadth, 
than by the length. And withall are ranked by the length, as thofe 
of the Infértions by the breadth of the Travk, But if you fet a 
piece of dry Elder-pith in fome tinged Liquor, why then doth it 
not penetrate the Pores, fo as to afcend through the Body of the Pith? 
The plain reafon is,becaufe they are all fill’d with Aer. Whereas the Pith 
ina Vegetating Plant, as its Parts or Bladder; are {till generated, they 
are at the fame time alfo fill’d with Sap; which, as “tis gradually fpent, 
is {till repaired by more fucceeding, and fo the Aer ftill kept out 5 as in 
all Primitive Growths, and the Pith of Elder it felf: Yet the fame Pith, 
by reafon of the following Winter, wanting a more copious and quick 
fupply of Szp,thus once become, ever after keeps dry. And fince in the 
aforefaid Trial the Liquor only afcends by the fides of the Pith, that 
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