LIBER

(Lat.ArtrA:.) In Botany, the interior lining of the bark of Exogenous plants. It consists of woody ti ue in great quantity, and very thick-sided, intermixed with cellular ti ue. It appears to be formed annually, at the same time as the concentric zones of wood, and is intended by nature to convey downwards the secretions elaborated in the bark and leaves. It is the principal seat of laticiferous ve els. Liber. In Roman Mythology, a surname of Bacchus, in reference, perhaps, to the idea of his being a liberator or deliverer. Liber was originally an old divinity, who presided over fertihty; and who was worshipped in connexion with Libera (a name of Proser pine, according to Cicero, De Natura Deorum) and Cores. [s. 672]