it:
E X P L A I N E D BY THE MICROSCOPE.
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C H A P . in .
OR P A R T I C U L A R I T I E S IN THE BLEA.
I f H,
TH E conftruilion of the Blea has been explained in itsplac
s difpofitîon, and ^^^^^^^ t h e arrangement of its parts, as they are various in different Trees, become now
t h e objeft of enquiry. The variations of Nature, in this cafe, are cndlefs and there
are fcarce two genera wherein this and the other parts do not differ, mor e or lefs, eit
h e r in their quantity, colour, difpofition, o r arrangement. From the great number of
kinds which have paffed under my eye on the prefent cccafion, I ihall feled thofe where
t h e differences or particularities are mof t confiderable j and be happy in pointing out
t o the attentive Reader what Trees, fo far as this experience leads me, will beft entert
a in his eye, and lead hi s thoughts to mor e enquiry.
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I . O F THE PLAIN DISPOSITION OF THE ELEA
I N THE L IEIODENDRON LILIIFERUM,
W h e n we woul d fee the Blea in its plain, moft natural, and moft' f impl e Hate, that
T u l i p Tree which Botanical writers call Liriodendron Liliiferum affords a very fair occalion.
A piece of this is reprefented at Plate XX.
Here the two Barks a b, are very diftinit -, the outer of a deep, the other of a paler
brown : and between tliefe and the whi t e fleili d is placed at c a plain and even circle of
t h e Blea. Its pale brown colour keeps it perfeftly diftinél from the Bark; and Its
i l r o n g inner margin as plainly feparates it from the Wood. This is the pure and perfe£
l ftate of the Blea : and were it for the condition of this part alone the Tree would
demand a place here : but it has been felefted for mor e particularities than this. Nat
u r e is pregnant wi t h wonder and delight j and It has been the care, on.thefe occafions,
t o chufe, among the number of thofe wher e the main objeâ: is equally perfeft, fuch
kinds as afford therewi t h moil delight or moft inftrudlion, in the other parts. In this
t h e Vafa interiora, e, are very beautifully placed juft within the inner verge of the
Bark : their oblong form is fingular and the more fo, as i t is lefs regular and exa£t
t h a n in moft cafes. The delicacy of the Wood, / , and the arrangement of the Sap
Veifcls, g, in regular rays, are alfo wor thy notej and much more their regular diminution
in fize as they approach the Pith, 'Tis thus in all Trees, at a certain growth;
but fcarce in any is fo well feen, or takes place in the Shoot fo early.
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