in botany, an arm of a tree, or a part which, sprouting out from the trunk, helps to form the head or crown thereof. Branches do not spring out of the mere surface of the trunk, but are profoundly rooted therein, so as not only to penetrate the cortical, but also the woody substance, and even the pith. The constituent parts therefore of a branch are the same as of the trunk, viz. skin, bark, wood, and pith.

Branches of a Bridle, in the menage, are two pieces of iron bended, which, in the interval, between the one and the other, bear the bit-mouth, the crofs-chains, and the curb; so that on one end they answer to the head-stall, and on the other to the reins, in order to keep the horse's head in subjection. With regard to their form and structure, branches are either strait, in form of a pilot, for young horses to form their mouth; or after the comfable of France's fashion, proper for a horse that carries his head well. Some are in form of a gogot or leg, which will prevent horses from carrying too low: Some are in form of a bent knee, contrived for horses that arm themselves against the operation of the bit; and others after the French fashion, which is hardly above ½ of an inch at the fevile hole, and kned 1½ inch at the jarret or ham.

It is to be observed, 1. That the farther the branch is from the horse's neck, the more effect it will have. 2. That short branches, ceteris paribus, are ruder, and their effects more sudden, than those of longer. 3. That the branch is to be proportioned to the length of a horse's neck; and one may sooner err in chusing one too short than too long.

Branches of Ogives, in architecture, are the arches of Gothic vaults. These arches, traversing from one angle to another diagonal-wise, form a cross between the other arches, which make the sides of the square, of which the arches are diagonals.

Branch of a Trench. See Boyau.

Branch of a Mine. See Gallery.

Branch-Stand, with falconers, a term used to signify the making a hawk leap from tree to tree, till the dog springs the game.