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.RTII- I (
E X P L A I N E D BY T H E MICROS.COPE.
B O O K IV.
o r THE DIPIERENT DISPOSITION OF THE PARTS IN VARIOUS TREES.
H
T
C H A P . I.
O R D I F F E R E N C E S IN THE RIND.
H E ftrength of Trees depends upon the conftltution of their eflential parts: PLATE
t h e qualities of Trees rife principally upon their feveral added Veflels. The
elTential parts; tile Rind, Bark, Blea, Wood, Corona, and Pith, are found in all Treesi
tho' differently conftruded and difpofed: hut the vafcular parts, of this additional
kind, are not only fmall and inconfiderable in many, but in fome are entirely wanting
: nor is it ftrange j for every Tree is not defigned to be medicinal.
The general nature and ufual difpofition of thefe parts has been ihewn in one inftance,
t h e Oak j in which they are all prefent, and where they lie in their moil regular form:
but in the variety of Trees which God has given for different purpofes, there are fo many
variations f rom the general order of difpofition and magnitude, that it is pleafant, in the
light of curiofity, to examine them : but there are alfo higher purpofes to be anfwered
by fuch examination. Since it is to the conftrudion of that part we call the Wood
that Timber owes its ilrength J and to the fize and contents of the Vafa propria all
Trees owe their powers and virtues j an eye, thus accuftomed to the vifible differences,
will guefs almoft to a certainty what ftrange Trees are worthy notice, as to durability j
and what promife cures for ficknefs.
XVIII.
1 of viewing, it may be proper T o lead to this diftinftivt firft to fcleit one of
the leaft complex of Trees or Shrubs j the fimpleil in its ftruflure : fince in fuch a one
Nature will lay open many things in the ordering of the parts, which are hid in thofo
pf a more complicaied texture.
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