An Appendix.
Of Trunk-Roots and Claspers.
THE distinct Parts whereof these are composed, are the same with those of the Trunk, and but the continuation of them.
1. §. Trunk-Roots are of two kinds: Of the one, are those that vegetate by a direct descent: The place of their Eruption is sometimes all along the Trunk; as in Mint, &c. Sometimes only at its utmost point, as in the Bramble.
2. §. The other sort are such as neither ascend nor descend, but shoot forth at right Angles with the Trunk; which therefore, though as to their Office, they are true Roots, yet as to their Nature, they are a Middle Thing betwixt a Root and a Trunk.
3. §. Claspers, though they are but of one kind, yet their Nature is double; not a mean betwixit that of the Root and that of the Trunk, but a compound of both; as in their Circumvolutions, wherein they often mutually ascend and descend, is seen.
4. §. The use of these Parts may be observed as the Trunk Mounts, or as it Trails. In the mounting of the Trunk, they are for Support and Supply. For Support, we see the Claspers of Vines: the Branches whereof being very long, fragile and slender; unless by their Claspers, they were mutually contain’d together, they must needs by their own weight, and that of their Fruit, undecently fall; and be also liable to frequent breaking. So that the whole care is divided betwixt the Gardener and Nature; the Gardener, with his Ligaments of Leather, secures the main Branches; and Nature, with these of her own finding, secures the Less. Their Conveniency to which end, is seen in their Circumvolutions, a motion, not proper to any other Part: As also in their toughness, though much more slender than the Branches whereon they are appendent.
5. §. The Claspers of Bryony have a retrograde motion about every Third Circle, to the form a Doublet-Clasp. Probably for the more certain hold; which, if it miss one way, it may be sure to take another.
6. §. For Supply, we see the Trunk-Roots of Ivy. For mounting very high, and being of a closer or more compact Substance than that of a Vine; the Sap could not be sufficiently supplied to the upper Sprouts, unless these, to the Mother-Root, were joyntly assistant. Yet serve they for support likewise; whence they shoot out, not as in Cresses, Brook-lime, &c. reciprocally on each side, but commonly, all on one; that so they may be fastned at the nearest hand.
7. §. In the Trailing of the Trunk, they serve for stabiliment, propagation and shade. For stabiliment, the Claspers of Cucumbers are of good use. For the Trunk and Branches being long and fragile, the Brushes of the Winds would injuriously hoise them to and fro, to the dammage both of themselves and their tender Fruits, were they not by these Ligaments brought to good Association and Settlement.
8. §. As for this end, so for Propagation, the Trunk-Roots of Chamæmile do well serve. Whence we have the reason of the common observation, that it grows better by being trod upon: the Mould, where too laxe, being thus made to lie more conveniently about the said Trunk-Roots newly bedded therein; and is that which is sometimes also effected in Rowling of Corn.
9. §. For both these ends, Serve the Trunk-Roots of Strawberries; as also for shade; for in that all Strawberries delight; and by the trailing of the Plant is well obtain’d. So that as we are wont to tangle the Twigs of Trees together to make an Arbour Artificial; the same is here done to make a Natural one: as likewise by the Claspers of Cucumbers. For the Branches of the one by the Linking of their Claspers, and of the other by the Tethering of their Trunk-Roots, being couched together; their tender Fruits thus lie under the Umbrage of a Bower made of their own Leaves.