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 or strength, though much more slender than the Branches whereon they are appendent. For Supply, we see the _Trunk-Roots_ of _Ivy_: For mounting very high, and being of a closer Constitution 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 in one; that so they may be fastened at the nearest hand. In the Trailing of the _Trunk_, they serve for stabiliment, propagation and shade. For stabiliment, we see the _Claspers_ of _Cucumbers_: 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 Fruit, were they not by these Ligaments brought to good Association and Settlement. As for this end, so for Propagation, we see the _Trunk-Roots_ of _Camomile_. 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 we see also effected in Rowling of _Corn_. For both these ends, we see the _Trunk-Roots_ of _Strawberries_; as also for shade; for in that we see 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. CHAP. IV. _Of the Germen, Branch, and Leaf._ The Parts of the _Germen_ and _Branch_, are the same with those of the _Trunk_; the same _Skin_, _Cortical_ and _Lignous Bodies_, _Insertment_ and _Pith_, hereinto propagated, and distinctly observable herein.