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 into 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. See the article PLANTS.

BRANCHES of a Bridle, in the manege, are two pieces of iron bended, which, in the interval between the one and the other, bear the bit-mouth, the cross-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 straight, in form of a pistil, for young horses to form their mouth; or after the constable of France's fashion, proper for a horse that carries his head well. Some are in form of a gigot 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-one third of an inch at the fevile hole, and kneed 1½ inch at the jaret 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 choosing one too short than too long.