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tof. 116 
C. 3.$. 24. 
Tab. 4. 
Tab. 4. 

The Anatomy Book I 

which lies betwixt the Nerves, and as in Gentlewomens Needle-works, 
fills all up, is nothing elfe, but the continuation of the Cortical Body, 
or Parenchyneous part of the Barque from the Branch into it (elf, asin 
moft Plants with a thick Leaf, may eafily be feen. 
8. ¢. The Fibers of the Leaf neither fhoot out of the Branch, or 
the Truk, nor ftand in the stalk, in an even Line 3 but alwayes in 
either an Azgular or Circular pofture 5 and ufually making either a 
Triangle, or a Semi-Grcle, or Chord of a Circle 5 as in Ciehory, Endive, 
Cabbage, &c. may be obferved. And if the Leaf have but one main Fi- 
ber, that alfo is poftur'din a bowed or Luvar Figure 5 as in Mint and 
others. The ufual number of thefe Vafcular Thréeds or Fibres is 3,5,0F 7. 
9. §. The reafon of the faid Pofitions of the Fiders in the Stalk of 
the Leaf, is for its more Ere growth, and greater Strength: which, 
were the pofition of the faid F7bers in an even Live, and fo the Stalk. 
it fel as wellasthe Leaf flat; muft needs have been defectives as 
from what we have faid of the Cireumferential pofture of the Lignous 
Body in the Trunk, we may better conceive. 
to. §. As likewife for the fecurity of its sap: For by this means 
it is, that the feveral Fibers, and efpecially the main or middle Fiber 
of the Leaf; together with a confiderable part of the Parenchyma, are 
fo difpofed ‘of, as to jut out, not from its upper, but its back, or 
neither Side. Whence the whole Leaf, reclining backward, becomes 
a Canopy to them, defending them from thofé Injuries which from 
colder Blafts, or an hotter Sun, they might otherwife fuftain. So 
that by a mutual benefit, as Thefé give fuck to all the Leaf, fo that 
again protection to Thefe. 
it. §. Thefe Fabers are likewife the immediate Vifible Caufe of the 
Shape of the Leaf. For if the nethermoft Fiber or Fibers in the Stalk 
(which thence runs chiefly through the length of the Leaf ) be in pro- 
portion greater, the Leaf is long 5.as in Endive, Cichory, and others: 
Ifall of a more equal fize, it {preads rounder, as in ley, Doves-foor, 
Colts foot, &c. And although a Dock-Leaf be very long, whofe 
Fibers notwith{tanding, as they ftand higher inthe stalk, are difpofed 
into a Circle all of an equal fize ; yet herein one or more peculiar 
Fibres, (tanding, in ornear the Cezter, betwixt the reft, and running 
through the length of the Leaf; may be obferved, 
12. §. In correfpondence alfo to the fize and fhape of thefe Fibres, 
is the Leaf flat. In that either they are very fmall, or if larger, yet 
they never make an entire Circle or Rig ; but either half of one, as 
in Borage, or at moft three parts of one, as in Mullen, may be feen. 
For if either they werefo big, asto contain , or fo entire, as perfe@ly 
to include a Pith, the Energy of the Sap in that Pith, would caufe 
the faid Lignous Ring to thoot forth on every fide, as it doth in the 
Root or Trunk: But the faid Fibers being not figur'd into an entire 
Ring, but fo as to. be open; on that hand therefore where open 
they cannot fhoot any thing directly from themfelves, becaufe there 
they have nothing to fhoot; and the sap having alfo a free vent 
through the faid opening, againft that part therefore which is there- 
unto oppfite, it can have no force 3 and fo neither will they {hoot 
forth on that hand 5 and fo will they confequently, that way only, 
wis the force of the sap dire@s, which is only on the right and 
left. 
13. §. 

