that four rows of staples are provided as shown the four substantially linear rows of staples 236 are arranged substantially transverse to the longitudinal axis a a of the instrument with two staggered rows positioned on either side of knife 238 as in the other embodiments herein the staples 236 are fired in a direction substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the instrument the knife 238 is movable from knife slot 234 to sever tissue clamped between the cartridge and anvil assemblies pin 254 is substantially semi circular shaped similar to pin 154 the staples 236 extend beyond the upper and lower edges 238 a 238 b respectively of knife 238 in the alternate embodiment of fig5 cartridge assembly designated generally by reference numeral 350 is substantially identical to cartridge assembly 150 of fig2 except for the configuration of pin 354 as shown two substantially linear rows of staples 236 are arranged substantially transverse to the longitudinal axis of the instrument with one row positioned on either side of knife 338 a different number of rows are also contemplated the knife 338 is movable from knife slot 334 to sever tissue clamped between the cartridge and anvil assemblies the staples 336 extend beyond the upper and lower edges 338 a 338 b respectively of knife 338 pin 354 is substantially l shaped in configuration to create a gap 357 to accommodate the knife that.