The anatomy of plants

Transcriber’s Note:

In Memory of

Chris Curnow (1937–2023) the Project Manager at Distributed Proofreaders who selected this book, and more than 2200 others, to be preserved as free digital transcriptions by Project Gutenberg.

This book was written based on notes from which the author gave lectures. Consequently, words may have multiple spelling variations or inconsistent hyphenation. These have been left unchanged unless indicated below. Obsolete spelling was retained. Obvious printing errors, such as backwards, upside down, reversed, dropped, or partially printed letters and punctuation, were corrected. Repeated words over line breaks were removed. An ñ was substituted for an n with a macron.

Words and phrases in italics are surrounded by underscores, _like this_. Those in bold are surrounded by equal signs, =like this=. Sidenotes are surrounded by diamonds, ♦ like this. ♦ Final stops missing at the end of sentences and abbreviations were added. Book II, Chapter 3, omits paragraph 10 §. Footnotes were renumbered sequentially. The table of generic differences of flavors was reformatted to fit narrower screens. A few page numbers in the index were corrected to match the related text.

The following were changed:

added missing word: “of” ... on either side of it, ... changed “in” to “its” ... from its _Inner_ or _Central Parts_ ... deleted “is” from “as it is seems” ... as it seems, ... added missing letters “seve” to “several” ... in the several _Parcels_ ... added missing word: “of” ... ⅓ of a Foot long ... added missing word: “of” ... Inside of the Sheath ... added missing word: “do” ... In order to do this ...

The following overall Table of Contents to the book was added by the transcriber for the convenience of readers.

PREFACE An IDEA of a Philosphical History of Plants Book 1 - The Anatomy of Plants Of the Seed in its State of Vegetation Of the Root Of the Trunk Of the Germen, Branch, and Leaf Of the Flower Of the Fruit Of the Seed, in its State of Generation Book 2, Part 1 - The Anatomy of Roots Of the Original, Figures, Motions and Ages of Roots Of the Skin of Roots Of the Barque Of the Wood Of the Pith Book 2, Part 2 - Vegetation of Roots Book 3, Part 1 - Anatomy of Trunks Description of Trunks, to the bare eye Of the Barque, through a microscope Of the Wood Of the Pith Book 3, Part 2 - Vegetation of Trunks Of the Motion and Course of the Sap Of the Motion and Course of the Aer Of the Structure of the Parts Of the Generation of Liquors Of the Figuration of Trunks Of the Motions of Trunks Of the Nature of Timber or Trunks Book 4 - Anatomy of Leaves, Flowers, Fruits and Seeds Anatomy of Leaves Anatomy of Flowers Anatomy of Fruits Anatomy of Seeds LECTURES Mixture Luctation Lixivial Salts Marine Salts Colours of Plants Tasts in Plants Salts in Water INDEX EXPLICATION OF TABLES TABLES

_At a Meeting of the Council of the_ ROYAL SOCIETY, _Feb. 22. 1681/2_

Dr. _Grew_ having read several _Lectures_ of the _Anatomy_ of _Plants_, some whereof have been already printed at divers times, and some are not printed; with several other _Lectures_ of their _Colours_, _Odours_, _Tasts_, and _Salts_; as also of the _Solution_ of _Salts_ in _Water_; and of _Mixture_; all of them to the satisfaction of the said _Society_: It is therefore Ordered, That He be desired, to cause them to printed together in one Volume.

_Chr. Wren_ P.R.S.

The

Anatomy

Of

Plants.

With An

Idea

Of A

Philosophical History of Plants,

And several other

Lectures,

Read before the

Royal Society.

By _NEHEMJAH GREW_ M.D. Fellow of the _ROYAL SOCIETY_, and of the _COLLEGE_ of _PHYSICIANS_.

Printed by _W. Rawlins_, for the Author, 1682.

To His Most

Sacred Majesty

Charles II.

King of Great Britain, &c.

May it please Your Majesty,

_The Dedication of one Part of the following_ Anatomy _having been very graciously received by Your Majesty: I am now emboldened most humbly to present the Whole into_ Your Royal Hands.

_By which Your Majesty will find, That there are_ Terræ Incognitæ _in_ Philosophy, _as well as_ Geography. _And for so much, as lies here, it comes to pass, I know not how, even in this Inquisitive Age, That I am the first, who have given a Map of the Country._

_Your Majesty will here see, That there are those things within a_ Plant, _little less admirable, than within an_ Animal. _That a_ Plant, _as well as an_ Animal, _is composed of several_ Organical Parts; _some whereof may be called its_ Bowels. _That every_ Plant _hath_ Bowels _of divers kinds, conteining divers kinds of_ Liquors. _That even a_ Plant _lives partly upon_ Aer; _for the reception whereof, it hath those Parts which are answerable to_ Lungs. _So that a_ Plant _is, as it were, an_ Animal _in Quires; as an_ Animal _is a_ Plant, _or rather several_ Plants _bound up into one_ Volume.

_Again, that all the said_ Organs, Bowels, _or other_ Parts, _are as artificially made; and for their_ Place _and_ Number, _as punctually set together; as all the_ Mathematick Lines _of a_ Flower _or_ Face. _That the_ Staple _of the_ Stuff _is so exquisitely fine, that no_ Silk-worm _is able to draw any thing near so small a_ Thred. _So that one who walks about with the meanest_ Stick, _holds a Piece of Natures Handicraft, which far surpasses the most elaborate_ Woof _or_ Needle-Work _in the World._

_That by all these Means, the_ Ascent _of the_ Sap, _the_ Distribution _of the_ Aer, _the_ Confection _of several sorts of_ Liquors, _as_ Lympha’s, Milks, Oyls, Balsames; _with other parts of_ Vegetation, _are all contrived and brought about in a Mechanical way. In sum, Your Majesty will find, that we are come ashore into a new World, whereof we see no end._

_It may be, that some will say, into another_ Utopia. _Yet not I, but Nature speaketh these things: the only true_ Pallas, _wherewith it is treasonable for the most couriously handed_ Arachne _to compare. In whose Name, I, the meanest of her Pupils, do in all humility crave Your Majesties Gracious Patronage. Whereof I cannot doubt, since Your Majesty hath been pleased to be the Founder, and to style Your Self the Patron of that_ Society, _of which I have the honour to be a Member. Your Majesty deeming it to be a more Noble Design, To enlarge the Territories of Knowledge, than those of Dominion: and the Highest Pitch of Human Glory, not to rule, in any sort, over many; but to be a Good Prince over Wise Men. I am_

Your Majesties most humble and most obedient Subject

_Nehemjah Grew._

The Preface.

It is a _Politick_ or _Civil Virtue_ in every prudent mans Eye, To set himself an example, in what he doth, unto others. And in so doing, he looks upon himself as accountable, in some sort, to all Men. To those therefore, who may either expresly, or tacitly, expect the Reasons, upon which I first undertook the _Anatomy_ of _Plants_, and also made the after-progress therein; I shall summe them up as follows.

The first occasion of directing my Thoughts this way, was in the _Year 1664_, upon reading some, of the many and curious Inventions of Learned Men, in the _Bodies_ of _Animals_. For considering, that both of them came at first out of the same _Hand_; and were therefore the _Contrivances_ of the same _Wisdom_: I thence fully assured my self, that it could not be a vain Design; to seek it in both. And being then newly furnished with a good stock of _Seeds_, in order to raise a _Nursery_ of _Plants_; I resolved, besides what I first aimed at, to make the utmost use of them for that purpose: that so I might put somewhat upon that side the _Leaf_ which the best _Botanicks_ had left bare and empty. And in which, notwithstanding some other Learned Men had inferred somewhat of this nature; as Dr. _Highmore_ in his _Book_ of _Generation_, Dr. _Sharrock_ of the _Propagation_ of _Plants_, and Mr. _Hook_ in his _Micrography_: yet but collaterally, and whithout shewing any purpose of managing this _Part_ of _Natural History_. And although it seemed at first an Objection in my way, That the first projectors seldome bring their business to any good end: yet I also knew, That if Men should stay for an Example in every thing; nothing extraordinary would ever be done.

But notwithstanding the reasonableness of the Design; yet I did not forget, that, in respect of the Undertaker, there might be _Impar congressus_. And therefore, before I had ventured very far, in the Year 1668, I imparted it to my Brother-in-Law, the Learned Dr. _Henry Sampson_, now _Fellow_ of the _Colledge_ of _Physicians_ in _London_. Who not only very well liked the same; but also excited me to a vigorous and accurate prosecution of it. Which he did, partly, by mentioning a very pertinent passage of Dr. _Glisson_, in the _Preface_ to his _Book de Hepate_,[1] which I had not then read.

_Plantæ quoque in hunc censum_ (sc. Anatomicum) _veniunt; variâ enim Partium texturâ, & differentiis constant: & proculdubio, ex acurata earundem dissectione, utiles valde observationes nobis exurgerent: præstaretque in illis (inferioris licet ordinis) rebus examinandis operam impendere, quam in transcribendis ut sæpe sit, aliorum laboribus, inutiliter ætatem transigere. Quippe hoc pacto, ignavarum apum more, aliena duntaxat alvearia expilamus, nihilque bono publico adjicimus._

[1] Ch. 1.

After I had finished the _First Book_, that I might know the sense also of other Learned Men, whether the steps I had already taken, would warrant me to proceed any further: I put some part of it into the same Hand; who, in the Year 1670, communicated the same to Mr. _Oldenburge_, then _Secretary_ to the _Royal Society_: and after he had read it over, it was, upon his motion, delivered to that excellent Person Dr. _John Wilkins_ then _Bishop_ of _Chester_; who produced it at a Meeting of the _Royal Society_, and desired, they might see the rest. Which, or the greatest part, being also presented to them, the Right Honourable the Lord Vicount _Brouncker_, then _President_ of the _Royal Society_, was pleased to peruse the same. Presently, after which, at a Meeting of the Council of the said _Society_, the following _Order_ was made, and entred in their Council-Book with this Date, and in these words:

_May 11ᵗʰ 1671._

_Then was Licensed Dr._ Nehemjah Grew’_s Book, Entituled,_ The Anatomy of Vegetables _begun; together with an account of_ Vegetation _grounded thereupon. And Ordered to be Printed by the Printer to the_ Royal Society.

Hereupon, I was obliged to send the Book to the Press. And upon the 9ᵗʰ of _November_ following in the same Year 1671, when it was near being printed, my Lord _Brouncher_ signed the forementioned _Order_: the Printer, whose Name was to be inserted therein, not having received his _Diploma_ till that time.

The Book being quickly after printed off; I ordered it to be Presented to the _Royal Society_; which was accordingly done at one of their Meetings _December 7, 1671_. And also to be sent to the Bishop of _Chester_; who was pleased to signifie his acceptance thereof by a Letter dated at _Chester_, _December_ 26ᵗʰ 1671. now filed amongst others in the Custody of the _Royal Society_: part whereof, in regard it relates to matter of Fact, I shall here recite.

Sir,

_I did yesterday receive your Book; and am very sensible of the Honour you have done me in the Dedication of it. You was very happy in the choice of this Subject to write upon; one of the most Noble and the most Copious parts of_ Philosophy; _and such an one, as hath hitherto lain uncultivated. And you have been very successful in your first Attempt about it, in so many remarkable Observations and Discoveries, as you have made already. I could heartily wish, that you would still apply your self to this kind of Enquiries. You will find that Additionals will come in more copiously and easily. And it is not fit, that any one should, by his Superstructions, carry away the praise from him, who was the first Inventor, and who laid the Foundations, wherein the greatest difficulty doth consist, &c._

Having thus submitted my self to the Judgment of many Learned Men; I saw that my Journey must not here end. So that, like one who is got into a Wood, I thought I might as fairly find my way out, by going on, as by making a retreat. Whereupon, I began to draw up a _Scheme_ of the whole _Design_.

While I was doing this, I received news from _London_, that the same day, _December 7. 1671_, in which my Book, then printed, was presented to the _Royal Society_: there was also presented a _Manuscript_ (without _Figures_) from Seignior _Malpighi_, upon the same Subject; dated at _Bononia_, _November,_ 1ˢᵗ 1671. the same, which Mr. _Oldenburge_, when it came to be printed, calleth his _Idea_. And of this, entry was made in their Journal Book. So that the _Royal Society_ having now a Prospect of the good service of an Ancient _Member_, and one, who had highly merited by his Works then extant; from thence forward, I looked upon my self to be excused.

But soon after, receiving another Letter from the Bishop of _Chester_, dated at _London_, _Febr. 18. 1672_. I found the matter otherwise; and that the _Society_ were pleased to engage me to proceed. Whereof entry was made by the _Secretary_ in their Journal Book, at one of their Meetings, _April, 18. 1672_, in these words:

_The_ Society _was made acquainted with one particular lately passed in the Council;_ sc. _That the Bishop of_ Chester _had there proposed Dr._ Grew _to be a Curator to the_ Royal Society _for the_ Anatomy _of_ Plants: _and that the Council had approved of that_ Proposal. _Upon which, it was Ordered, That the Thanks of the_ Society _be returned to the Lord Bishop of_ Chester, _for this_ Proposal, _and to the Council for their Approbation of the same._

This they might be induced to do; upon considering, that it would be no disadvantage to the credit of those matters, which were so new and strange, to be offered to the World from a double Authority. For one, although he may have no mind to deceive; yet is it more likely for one, than for two, to be deceived. Likewise, that the same Subject, being prosecuted by two Hands, would be the more illustrated by the different Examples produced by both. And that, as in other matters, so here, the defects of both, would mutually be supplyed.

Whether for these, or other Reasons also, they were pleased to pass the forementioned _Order_; that being done, it had been very ill manners in me, not to have answered their expectation therein. And therefore reassuming the Design I had laid by, and having reduced it to some intelligible _Idea_, it was submitted to the Censure of the _Royal Society_: and it was thereupon ordered it should be printed.

Not long after, I received a Curious and Learned Book from Mons. _Dodart_, _Archiater_ to the Prince of _Conde_, and _Fellow_ of the _Royal Academy_ at _Paris_; in persuance of whose Order, it was by him composed and published. Which being a Design of a like Import, I was glad to see it so far justify’d by that Illustrious _Society_, as well as by our own.

In this _Idea_, one principal Thing I insist upon, for a _Philosophical History_ of _Plants_, is _Anatomy_. And, agreeing to the _Method_ therein proposed, all the Observations conteined in the _First Book_, except one or two, were made with the _Naked Eye_. To the end, I might first give a proof, How far it was possible for us to go, without the help of _Glasses_: which many Ingenious Men want; and more, the patience to manage them. For the Truth of these Observations, Seignior _Malpighi_, having procured my Book to be translated into Latin for his private use, speaks his own sense, in some of his Letters to Mr. _Oldenburge_, printed at the end of his _Anatomy_ of _Plants_. And some of them, have since been confirmed, both by our Learned Country-men Dr. _Wallis_, and Mr. _Lister_; and by the Ingenious Mr. _Lewenhoeck_, abroad.

Having thus begun with the bare Eye; I next proceeded to the use of the _Microscope_. And the Observations thereby made, first on _Roots_, and afterwards on _Trunks_ and _Branches_, together with the _Figures_, were all exhibited to the _Royal Society_ at several times from _May 15. 1672._ to _April 2. 1674_; being the _Materials_ for the _Second_ and _Third Parts_: and hereof _Memorials_ were inserted in their Journal Books.

After this, the _Royal Society_ received from Seignior _Malpighi_ his _Second Part_ of the _Anatomy_ of _Plants_, together with the _Figures_ therein described, and his _Letters_ to their _Secretary_, dated at _Bononia_ _Aug. 20ᵗʰ_ of the same year 1674. when, and not before, he gave leave that the two said _Parts_ should be printed.

So soon as I had finished the _Second_ and _Third Parts_, I proceeded to the _Last_, _sc._ of _Leaves_, _Flowers_, _Fruits_ and _Seeds_: and those Things I met with, more remarquable, were presented to the said _Society_ in the Years 1676 & 1677. And the publishing of the former _Parts_ successively, as well as of all together, hath been done in pursuance of their several _Orders_ for the same.

Having concluded the _History_ of _Perfect Plants_; I intended to have subjoyned the _Description_ of those which are _Imperfect_. As also of _Parasitical_, _Marine_, and _Sensitive Plants_. And lastly, a view of the chief Particulars, wherein the _Mechanisme_ of a _Plant_, is different from that of an _Animal_. But these things I leave to some other Hand.

The _First Book_, a little after it came forth; was translated into the French _Tongue_, by Mons. Le _Vasseur_ an Ingenious Gentleman in _Paris_; elegantly, and in the Judgment of those who are well skilled in that _Language_, with much exactness, as to the sense. He having taken special care, to have all the difficulties of our own, by Me, cleared to him. And in a late Book Entituled, _Philosophia vetus & nova_ printed at _Noriberg_ 1682. the Learned Author seems to have made use of this Translation, for all that he hath taken notice of in that my _First Book_.

By the Ingenious Collectors of the _German Ephemerides_, both my _First_, _Second_, and _Third Books_, are all published in _Latine_. But their unskilful Interpreter doth often fail of the _Grammatical Sense_. Whose Errors, many of them very gross, I desire may be imputed neither to them, nor to my self.

Besides these, the _Second Lecture_ of _Mixture_ is also translated into _French_, by Mons. _Mesmin_ a Learned Physician in _Paris_: whose _Version_ is very well approved by those who are competent Judges hereof.

This, and the rest which follow, are placed, not in the order of _Time_; but more according to their Nature or Relation one to another. All of them intended as a Commentary upon some particulars mentioned, either in the _First Lecture_, or in the _Idea_.

In the _Plates_, for the clearer conception of the _Part_ described, I have represented it, generally, as entire, as its being magnified to some good degree, would bear. So, for instance, not the _Barque_, _Wood_, or _Pith_ of a _Root_ or _Tree_, by it self; but at least, some portion of all three together: Whereby, both their _Texture_, and also their Relation one to another, and the _Fabrick_ of the whole, may be observed at one _View_. Yet have I not every where magnify’d the _Part_ to the same degree; but more or less, as was necessary to represent what is spoken of it. And very highly, only in some few Examples, as in _Tab. 40._ which may suffice to illustrate the rest. Some of the _Plates_, especially those which I did not draw to the _Engravers_ hand, are a little hard and stiff: but they are all well enough done, to represent what they intend.

An

Idea

Of A

Philosophical History

Of

Plants.

Read before the

Royal Society,

_January 8._ and _January 15. 1672_.

By _NEHEMJAH GREW_ M.D. Fellow of the _Royal Society_, and of the _College_ of _Physicians_.

=The Second Edition.=

_London_,

Printed by _W. Rawlins_, 1682.

To The

Most Illustrious

The

Royal Society,

The following

Idea

Is most HUMBLY

Presented.

And,

In their NAMES also

Proposed

To The

_Consideration_

Of other

Learned Men.

By the AUTHOR

_Nehemjah Grew_.

The Contents.

_Unto what Degree the knowledge of_ Plants _is arrived, §. 1. Wherein defective, §. 2. Why concluded to be so, §. 3. Yet capable of Improvement, §. 4. And worthy of it, §. 5._

_Divers Instances given, wherein; first of the_ Organical Parts, _as to their external Accidents and Oeconomical Uses, 6. Then of their Contents, Qualities, and Powers, 7. And an_ Improvement _of this Part, will further that of divers other parts of knowledge; whereof Instances are given, 8._

_In order whereto,_ Five General Means _are propounded, 9. The_ First, _a particular and comparative Survey of whatever is of more_ External _consideration about_ Plants, _10. Instanced as to their Figures, 11, 12. Proportions, 13. Seasons, 14. Places, 15. Motions, 16._

_The_ Second, _A like_ Survey _of the_ Organical Parts _by_ Anatomy, _as that which is very necessary, 17. In what manner to be prosecuted, both without, and with the_ Microscope, _18. What thereupon to be observed, 19. And what, from observantion made, probably attainable, 20._

_The_ Third, _A like_ Survey _of the_ Contents _of_ Plants; _their several Kinds, 21. Of all which, their Receptacles, 22. Motions, 23. Qualities, 24. Consistence, 25. Colours, Smells, and Tastes, 26. Where also the same Qualities are to be inquired into, as generally belonging to_ Plants, _26. As their Colours, 27. Odours, 28. Tastes, 29. Also their Faculties, 30. All these to be further examined, 31. By Contusion, 32. Agitation, 33. Frigifaction, 34. Infusion, 35. Subsession, 36. Digestion, 37, 38. Decoction, 39. Destillation, 40. Arefaction, 41. Assation, 42. Ustion, 43. Calcination, 44. By Composition with other Bodies, 45. And by Compounding the Experiment it self, 46. What hence attainable, 47._

_The_ Fourth, _A like_ Survey _of the_ Principles, _as well as of the_ Contents, _of the_ Organical Parts, _48. The Difficulty hereof, in some respects cleared, 49. Further, by two_ Instances, _50, 51. Some Remarques hereupon, of the_ Principles _of_ Plants, _52. From hence will be attainable a further knowledge of the Modes of Vegetation, 53. Of the_ Qualities _of_ Vegetables, _54. And of their Powers, 55, 56._

_The_ Fifth, _A like_ Survey _of those_ Bodies, _either from which these_ Principles _are derived, or wherewith they have any communion, 57. Which are_ Four _in general,_ soil, Earth, _and all solid Receptacles, 58._ Water, _and all liquid Receptacles, 59._ Aer, 60. _And_ Sun, 61.

_A_ Sixth _General Inquiry, only hinted, 62._

_The Conclusion, 63._

An

Idea

Of A

Philosophical History

Of

Plants.

IF WE take an account of the _Degrees_ whereunto the Knowledge of _Vegetables_ is Advanced, it appeareth, That besides the great Varieties, which the Successful _Arts_ of _Florists_, or Transplantations from one _Climate_ to another, have produced; we have very many _Species_ brought to light, especially Natives of the _Indies_, which the _Ancients_, for any thing that appears in their _Writings_ now extant, were ignorant of. In which particular _Clusius_, _Columna_, _Baubinus_, _Boccone_, and others, have performed much. Withall, That their _Descriptions_ (of all Parts above ground) their _Places_ and _Seasons_, are with good diligence and preciseness set before us. Likewise their Order and Kindred: for the adjusting whereof our Learned Countryman Mr. _Ray_, and Dr. _Morrison_, have both taken very laudable pains. As also the ordering of them with respect to their _Alimental_ and _Mechanick_ Uses; for which, amongst others, Mr. _Evelyn_ and Dr. _Beal_ have deserved many thanks, and great praise. We are also informed, of the _Natures_ and infallible _Faculties_ of _many_ of them. Whereunto so many as have assisted, have much obliged their _Posterity_.

2. §. By due Reflection upon what hath been _Performed_; it also appears, what is left _Imperfect_, and what _Undone_. For the _Virtues_ of most _Plants_, are with much _uncertainty_, and too _promiscuously_ ascribed to them. So that if you turn over an _Herbal_, you shall find almost every _Herb_, to be good for every _Disease_. And of the _Virtues_ of many, they are altogether silent. And although, for the finding out, and just appropriation of them, they have left us some _Rules_, yet not all. The _Descriptions_ likewise of many, are yet to be perfected; especially as to their Roots. Those who are very curious about the other _Parts_, being yet here too remiss. And as for their _Figures_, it were much to be wished, That they were all drawn by one _Scale_; or, at most, by Two; one, for _Trees_ and _Shrubs_; and another for _Herbs_. Many likewise of their _Ranks_ and _Affinities_, are yet undetermined. And a great number of _Names_, both _English_ and _Latine_, not well given. So what we call _Goat’s-Rue_, is not at all of kin to that Plant, whose _Generical Name_ it bears. The like may be said of _Wild-Tansy_, _Stock-July-Flowers_, _Horse-Radish_, and many more. So also when we say _Bellis Major_, & _Minor_, as we commonly do, these _Names_ would intimate, That the _Plants_ to which they are given, differ (as the great double _Marigold_, doth from the less) only in Bulk: whereas, in truth, they are two _Species_ of _Plants_. So we commonly say, _Centaurium Majus & Minus_, _Chelidonium Majus & Minus_, and of others in like manner, which yet are distinct _Species_, and of very different _Tribes_. But for the _Reason_ of _Vegetation_, and the _Causes_ of all those infinite _Varieties_ therein observable (I mean so far as _Matter_, and the various _Affections_ hereof, are instrumental thereunto) almost all Men have seemed to be unconcerned.

3. §. That Nothing hereof remaineth further to be known, is a Thought not well Calculated. For if we consider how long and gradual a _Journey_ the _Knowledge_ of _Nature_ is; and how short a Time we have to proceed therein; as on the one hand, we shall conclude it our ease and profit, To see how far Others have gone before us: so shall we beware on the other, That we conceive not unduly of _Nature_, whilst we have a just value for Those, who were but her _Disciples_, and instructed by Her. Their Time and Abilities both, being short to her; which, as She was first Designed by _Divine Wisdom_; so may Her vast Dimensions best be adjudged of, in being compared Therewith. It will therefore be our Prudence, not to insist upon the Invidious Question, Which of Her _Scholars_ have taken the fairest measure of Her; but to be well satisfied, that as yet She hath not been Circumscribed by Any.

4. §. Nor doth it more behove us to consider, how much of the Nature of _Vegetation_ may lie before us yet _unknown_; Than, to believe, a great part thereof to be _knowable_. Not concluding from the acknowledged, much less supposed Insuccessfulnes, of any Mens Undertakings: but from what may be accounted Possible, as to the Nature of things themselves; and from _Divine Providence_, by Infinite Ways conducting to the knowledge of them. Neither can we determine how great a part This may be: Because, _It is impossible to Measure, what we See not_. And since we are most likely to under-measure, we shall hereby but intrench our Endeavours, which we are not wont to carry beyond the _Idea_, which we have of our _Work_.

5. §. And how far soever this kind of Knowledge may be attainable, its being so far also worthy our attainment will be granted. For beholding the Many and Elegant Varieties, wherewith a Field or Garden is adorned; Who would not say, That it were exceeding pleasant to know what we Se_e_: and not more delightful, to one who has _Eyes_, to discern that all is very fine; than to another who hath _Reason_, to understand _how_. This surely were for a Man to take a True Inventory of his Goods, and his best way to put a price upon them. Yea it seems, that this were not only to be _Partaker of Divine Bounty_; but also, in some degree, _To be Copartner in the Secrets of Divine Art_. That which were very desireable, unless we should think it impertinent for us to design the _Knowing_ of _That_, which _God_ hath once thought fit to _Do_.

6. §. If for these, and other _Reasons_, an inquiry into the Nature of _Vegetation_ may be of good Import; It will be requisite to see, first of all, What may offer it self to be enquired of; or to understand, what our _Scope_ is: That so doing, we may take our aim the better in making, and having made, in applying our Observations thereunto. Amongst other Inquiries therefore, such as these deserve to be proposed. First, by what means it is that a _Plant_, or any _Part_ of it, comes to _Grow_, a _Seed_ to put forth a _Root_ and _Trunk_; and this, all the other _Parts_, to the _Seed_ again; and all these being _formed_, by continual Nutrition still to be _increased_. How the Aliment by which a _Plant_ is fed, is duly prepared in its several _Parts_; which way it is _conveyed_ unto them; and in what manner it is _assimilated_ to their respective Natures in them all. Whence this Growth and Augmentation, is not made of one, but many differing Degrees, unto both extremes of _small_ and _great_; whether the comparison be made betwixt several _Plants_, or the several _Parts_ of one. How not only their _Sizes_, but also their _Shapes_ are so exceeding various; as of _Roots_, in being Thick or Slender, Short or Long, Entire or Parted, Stringed or Ramified, and the like: of _Trunks_, some being more Entire, others Branched, others Shrub’d: of _Leaves_, which are Long or Round, Even-edg’d or Escallop’d, and many other ways different, yet always Flat: and so for the other _Parts_. Then to inquire, What should be the reason of their various _Motions_; that the _Root_ should _descend_; that its descent should sometimes be _perpendicular_, sometimes more _level_: That the _Trunk_ doth _ascend_; and that the ascent thereof, as to the space of _Time_ wherein it is made, is of different _measures_: and of divers other _Motions_, as they are observable in the _Roots_, _Trunks_, and other _Parts_ of _Plants_. Whence again, these _Motions_ have their Different, and Stated _Terms_; that _Plants_ have their set and peculiar _Seasons_ for their _Spring_ or _Birth_, for their _Full Growth_, and for their _Teeming_; and the like. Further, what may be the Causes as of the _Seasons_ of their _Growth_; so of the _Periods_ of their _Lives_; some being _Annual_, others _Biennial_, others _Perennial_; some _Perennial_ both as to their _Roots_ and _Trunks_; and some as to their _Roots_ only. Then, as they pass through these several _Seasons_ of their _Lives_, in what manner their convenient _feeding_, _housing_, _cloathing_ or _protection_ otherwise, is contrived; wherein, in this kind and harmonious _Oeconomy_, one _Part_, may be officious to another, for the preservation of the health and life of the _whole_. And lastly, what care is taken, not only for themselves, but for their _Posterity_; in what manner the _Seed_ is prepared, formed and fitted for _Propagation_: and this being of so great concernment, how sometimes the other _Parts_ also, as _Roots_, in putting forth _Trunks_; _Trunks_ in putting forth _Roots_; yea in turning oftentimes into _Roots_ themselves; whereof, in the _Second Book of the Anatomy of Plants_, I shall give some instances. With other _Heads_ of Inquiry of this kind.

7. §. Nor are the _Natures_, _Faculties_, and _Contents_ of _Vegetables_ less various, or a particular Inspection hereinto, of less concernment. For since All, or Most, seem to grow in the same manner, with one _Sun_, one _Rain_, indifferently well upon one _Soil_, and, to outward appearance, to have the same _Common Parts_; it may be asked, _How_ it comes to pass that their _Liquors_, or other _Contained Parts_, are of such different _Kinds_; one being _Watry_, another _Winy_, a third _Oily_, a fourth _Milky_, and the like. _How_ also there is such a variety in their _Sensible Qualities_, as their _Colours_, _Tastes_, and _Smells_; what those _Materials_ are, which are necessary to the _Being_ of these _Qualities_; and those _Formalities_, wherein their _Essence_ doth consist; as what it is that makes a _Plant_, or _Flower_, to be _white_ or _red_; _fragrant_ or _fetid_; _bitter_ or _sweet_; or to be of any other _Colour_, _Smell_, or _Taste_. In like manner, their _Faculties_ and _Powers_, what that is, or those things are, by which they are constituted; as whence one becomes _Purgative_, another _Vomitory_, a third _Diaphoretick_, _&c._, These, I say, with many other particular Inquiries depending hereupon; as they cannot but much oblige the Reason of Man to be obsequious to them, so by bringing in, at least, some satisfaction, will no less reward it. Especially, if it be withal considered, that besides our satisfaction as to the _Nature_ of _Vegetation_; some further Light, to divers other parts of Knowledge, may likewise hence arise.

8. § For since the present Design will ingage us, to an accurate and multifarious Observation of _Plants_; we may hereby be enabled to _range_ and _sort_ them with more certainty, according to the Degrees of their _Affinity_. And all _Exoticks_, _Plants_ or _Parts_ of _Plants_, may probably be reduced to some such _Domesticks_, unto which they may bear the best Resemblance. Again, it may frequently conduct our minds to the consideration of the _State_ of _Animals_; as whether there are not divers material Agreements betwixt them both; and what they are. _Wherein_ also they may considerably differ, and what those things are which are more essential to their distinguishment. And _besides_, not only to compare what is already known of both; but also, by what may be observed in the _one_, to suggest and facilitate the finding out of what may yet be unobserved in the _other_. So _also_ the consideration of the _Colours_, _Smells_, and _Tastes_ of _Vegetables_, may conduce to the Knowledge of the same _Qualities_ in General; or of what it is, that constitutes them such, in any other Body: not as they are _actually_ received by _Sense_; but so far, as such _Materials_ or external _Circumstances_, are requisite to their becoming the _Adequate Objects_ thereof. _It may_ lead us also to inquire into further Ways of _Cultivation_, with respect to the whole _Plant_, or to the _Flower_, _Fruit_, or other _Part_: To amend them as to their _Sizes_, _Colours_, _Tastes_, _Fruitfulness_, or otherwise: To think of other Ways of _Propagation_; or to apply those already known to other _Plants_ than hath been used. Likewise the Knowledge of their _Mechanical_ Uses may hereby be enlarged; both as to the Reason of their use, in such particular _Trades_ and _Manufactures_, already known; and the discovery of other uses yet unknown. As also their _Alimental_, with respect both to _Meats_ and _Drinks_; the preparation of some, and the finding out of others. But especially their _Medicinal_; some _Plants_ which have hitherto been neglected, may be applied to use; the _Perverted_ uses of some, and the _Confused_ uses of others, may be rectified. What may best correct their _Malignancies_, or inforce their _Virtues_; When needful to add the preparations of _Art_ to That of _Nature_; How to Enlarge those of _Art_, and Rectifie those which are indeed Inartificial, may hereby be better conjectured. The knowledge of all which, that we may know how far it is accessible, and what probable Approaches may be made towards it; those several Means I have thought of, and suppose necessary thereunto, are next to be proposed.

9. §. Reflecting then upon the present Design, and seeing this to lie wide; we shall, in the first place, conclude the _Means_ attending thereon, should do so likewise. Wherefore, although some may present themselves unto us as more promising; yet let us suppose what several Persons, were they hereunto engaged, each according to his Sense and Genius, would possibly make choice of. Believing, that although Considering Men may vary, in the approval of their own Sense and Notion; yet not always mearly, because it is their own; but because each, may probably see somewhat more in his own, than others do. Wherefore it will be our surest Logick to conclude, Not because no _Mean_ may be approved by all Men, that all _Means_ should be rejected; but rather, because each may be approved by some, that therefore, all be made choice of. And these, I think, may be comprehended under Five General _Heads_ of Enquiry. _First_, Of those Things, which are of more _External_ Consideration about _Plants_, as their _Figures_, _&c._ _Secondly_, Of their Compounding _Parts_, as _Vessels_, _&c._ _Thirdly_, Of their _Liquors_, and other _Contents_. _Fourthly_, Of their _Principles_, as _Salts_, _&c._ _Fifthly_, Of their _Aliment_, as _Water_, and other Means of Growth.

10. §. AND FIRST of all, whatever is of more _External_ Consideration, ♦ The First General _Mean_. ♦ as the _Figures_, _Proportions_, _Motions_, _Seasons_, _Situations_ of _Vegetables_, and of their several _Parts_, should be observed. In doing which, a particular survey of all their Varieties should be taken. And then a Comparison made betwixt these, and the several _Plants_, or _Parts_ of _Plants_, whereof they are the _Properties_. To the end, We may, if possible, be thereby conducted to find out, what other, either sensible, or more recluse _Property_, any of them may agree together in. For it is not more certain, that the three Angles of every _Rectilinear Triangle_, because all ways equal to two _Right Angles_, are therefore, if put together, always the same: than that _one Property_, agreeing to divers _Vegetables_, should have one _Cause_: For although the _Scope_ and _End_ may vary; yet the _Cause_, as it is the _Cause_ of that _Property_, must be _one_: and consequently, must also import some _Identity_ in the _Nature_ of all those _Vegetables_ wherein it Acts. Wherefore by thus comparing of them, we shall be able more exactly to state the _Orders_ and _Degrees_ of their _Affinities_; Better to understand both the _Causes_ and _Ends_ of their _Varieties_: And more probably to conjecture of their _Natures_ and _Vertues_.

11. §. First then the various _Figures_ of their several _Parts_ should be observed; and that with respect both to the _Forms_, and the _Positions_, by which their _Roots_, _Trunks_, _Branches_, _Leaves_, _Flowers_, _Fruits_, and _Seeds_ may vary, or agree; and those several _Lines_, by which both the said _Varieties_ are determin’d. In which of these _Parts_, the agreement chiefly lies; this being both more observable, and more material in some of them; less in the Root, more in the Flower, or Seed. And in how many of these _Parts_ together; whether one, more, or all. By both which, the _Orders_ and _Degrees_ of _Affinity_, which are many, may be accounted; either as to what we strictly call _Kindred_, or else _Analogy_. For there are found, not only _Herbs_ accounted of several _Tribes_, which are ally’d; and some of the Smallest, which are of kin to the Greatest: But there are also, probably, some _Herbs_, which have a particular Relation, to many Kinds of _Shrubs_; and some _Shrubs_, to many Kinds of _Trees_. Thus the several sorts of _Letuce_, are of Kin, together in the _First Degree_; with _Endive_, in the _Second_. The several _Clarys_, amongst themselves in the _First_; with _Horehound_, in the _Second_; with _Lamium_, in the _Third_. All _Strawberries_ agree together, in the _First_ Degree; with _Cinquefoyl_, in the _Second_; with _Tormentil_ in the _Third_; and with _Avens_, _&c._ in other Degrees more remote. So _Agrimony_, hath alike Analogy unto _Strawberry_; as _Goats-Rue_, hath to _Claver_: And _Strawberry_, the like unto the _Rasp_; as _Goosberry_ to the _Vine_; or _Burnet_, to the _Rose_. Amongst the several _Sorts_ of _Grass_, there are some which match all those of _Corn_; which is but a greater kind of _Grass_. So again all _Pulse_, are not only of kin, in their several Degrees, to one another; but likewise, to almost all kinds of _Trefoyls_, as _Melilot_, _Fœnugreek_, and the common _Clavers_ themselves; as by comparing not only their _Leaves_, but _Flowers_, _Seeds_, and _Cods_ together, may be evident. For the several _parts_ of the _Flower_ of a _Trefoyl_, are so many more _Flowers_, containing so many _Cods_ of small _Seeds_, all, in shape, agreeable to the _Flowers_, _Cods_, and _Seeds_ of _Pulse_. The same Relation, which _Trefoyls_ have to the _Peas_ or other _Pulse_; _Colts-foot_, hath to _Buttyr-Bur_; _Chickweed_ to _Leucanthemum_; _Groundsell_, to _Jacobæa_; or _Scorodonia_, to _Foxglove_: Or, to go higher, as the _Leguminous_ Kinds of _Herbs_, have to _Sena_, or some other of the _Lobed Shrubs_ and _Trees_. And, as among _Animals_, there are some which connect several Kinds; as the _Batt_ doth _Beasts_ and _Birds_: So, among _Plants_, there are some also, which seem to stand between two _Tribes_; as _Lappa_, between _Knapweeds_ and _Thistles_; _Lampsana_, between the _Intybaceous_ Kind, and the _Mouse-ears_.

12. §. From hence likewise, the _Natures_ of _Plants_ may be conjectured. For in looking upon divers _Plants_, though of different _Names_ and _Kinds_; yet if some affinity may be found betwixt them, then the _Nature_ of any one of them being well known, we have thence ground of conjecture, as to the _Nature_ of all the rest. So that as every _Plant_ may have somewhat of _Nature individual_ to it self; so, as far as it obtaineth any _Visible Communities_ with other _Plants_, so far, may it partake of _Common Nature_ with those also. Thus the _Wild_, and _Garden Cucumers_, have this difference; that the one _purgeth_ strongly, the other, _not at all_: yet in being _Diuretick_, they both agree. The _Natures_ of _Umbelliferous Plants_, we know, are various; yet ’tis most probable, that they all agree in this one, _scil._ in being _Carminative_. The several sorts, both of _Corn_ and _Grass_, are all akin; there is no doubt therefore, but that the _Seeds_ of _Grass_ themselves (of _Rye_ and _Oats_ it is tryed) if it were worth the while to order them, as _Barley_, would yield an inflammable Spirit. So likewise the several Kinds of _Pulse_, have some one community in their Form, as is said: for which reason, I question not, but that in some Cases, wherein _Cicers_ are esteemed a good _Medicine_; a _Decoction_ of the better sort of _Pease_, especially that we call the _Sugar-Pease_, may go beyond them. As doth also the _Flower_ or _Meal_ of _Beans_, that of the _Seeds_ of _Fœnugreek_; even there, where they are accounted excellent. So _Tulips_, _Lillies_, _Crocuses_, _Jacynths_, and _Onions_ themselves, with many others, in their several Degrees, are all _allied_. If therefore _Crocuses_, _Onions_, _Lillies_, agree in one or more _Faculties_, then why may not all the rest? as in being _Anodyne_; or in some other _Common Nature_; whereby, in their _Vegetation_, their _Parts_ are Governed and Over-ruled, to one Common or _Analogous Form_.

13. §. The _Proportions_ likewise, amongst the several _Parts_ of _Vegetables_, for the same Reasons, deserve to be observed; the comparison being made, both betwixt the _Parts_ of several _Plants_, and the several _Parts_ of one. And here again, either betwixt any Two of the _Parts_, or any One of them, and the Whole besides, or all the rest put together. So some larger _Seeds_, produce a small _Root_; as those of _Cucumer_: and others smaller, produce one very great; as those of _Bryony_. Some _Plants_, as the _Melon_, though themselves but very slender, yet have a vast and bulky _Fruit_; others again, as _Thistles_, and many yet more substantial, have no other _Fruit_, besides their _Seed_. So the _Seeds_ of all _Pulse_, and especially, the _Garden Bean_, though large, yet produce but a small _Plant_: but those of _Foxglove_, _Mullen_, _Burdock_, _Sun-flower_, _&c._ being themselves much less, do yet produce a far greater. And especially, those _Seeds_, which are inclosed in the Thicker sort of _Cover_, (analogous to that I have elsewhere called the _Secondine_) as that of _Peony_; ♦ Anat. Plant. Book I. Chap. ult. ♦ whose _Seed_, so called, is only the _Nest_ wherein the true and real _Seed_ is lodged, no bigger than a little Pins head: which is also observable of the _Seeds_ of divers other _Plants_. These, and the like _Proportions_, as they lie betwixt the several _Parts_, should be noted: and to what _Plants_ or _Parts_ especially, any of them may agree: comparing also in what other kind of _Properties_ an agreement betwixt the said _Parts_ may be found: that so doing, we may, if possible, amongst all their _Individual Natures_, be instructed to single out those _Common Ones_, which are concomitant to such Agreeing _Properties_.

14. §. The several _Seasons_ also of _Plants_, and of their _Parts_, should be considered. Observing at what particular Times of the Year, any of them chiefly _Spring_, Early or Late. The Times wherein they _Germinate_; whether for some Space only, or all the Year long. Wherein they _Spring_, after Sowing; or _Flower_, after Springing, sooner, or slower. Which Flower, the _first_ Year, or not till the _second_. Which _after_ the _Leaves_ are put forth, or _before_ them; for so, some do, as the _Crocus Vernus_, _Bears-foot_, _Hepatica aurea_, and others; all the _Leaves_, at the time of their flowering, being old, or of the foregoing Year’s growth. So likewise the _Maturation_ of the _Fruit_ or _Seed_; how long after the _Flower_, and the like. All or some of which _Varieties_, being laid together, we may probably conjecture the _Causes_ thereof, and the _Natures_ of the _Plants_ in which they are seen: _scil._ as such a Degree of Heat may be necessary for the Fermentation, or the better Distribution of the _Sap_ of such a _Plant_; or for the Impregnation of the _Aer_, to be mixed therewith; or the due Disposing of the _Soil_, to render the most convenient Aliment thereunto. So the _Principles_ of such _Plants_, which flower all the Year, may be more equally proportion’d. Those which flower before the _Leaves_ put forth, as the _Crocus Vernus_, and those which flower in _Spring_, may be accounted _Rank_, and full of _Volatile Salt_. But _Autumn Plants_ especially, to abound with a Fixed: and the like.

15. §. The proper _Places_ also of _Plants_, or such wherein they have, from their _Seeds_, or other way of _Propagation_, a Spontaneous growth, should be considered. And that as to the _Climate_; whether in one Colder, Temperate, or more Hot. The _Region_; Continent, or Island. The _Seat_; as Sea, or Land, Watry, Boggy, or Dry; Hills, Plains, or Vallies; Open, in Woods, or under Hedges; Against _Walls_, rooted in them, or on their Tops: and the like. And perhaps the _Seeds_ of some _Plants_, as of _Mosses_, (which, through their smallness, will ascend like Moths in the Sun) may fly or swim for some time, in the Aer, _viz._ till they begin to shoot, and so become heavy enough, to fall down upon the Ground. From whence, in like manner, as from their _Seasons_, their particular _Natures_ may be directed unto. In that, so far as we may conjecture the nature of such an _Aer_, _Soil_, or _Seat_, we may also of such a _Plant_, to which they are _congenial_.

16. §. So likewise, those many Varieties observable in the _Motions_ of _Plants_, and of their Parts, both Kinds and Degrees; _Ascending_, _Descending_, and _Horizontal_; _Rectilinear_, and _Spiral Motions_, should be noted; to what _Plants_ they agree, and wherein any of these Motions may be analogous to those of _Animals_. And in a word, any other _Forensick Properties_ of _Plants_. And then, to Compare them all together; both being necessary. For _Thoughts_ cannot work upon nothing, no more than _Hands_. He that will build an House, must provide Materials. And on the contrary, the Materials will never become an House, unless, by certain Rules, we joyn them all together. So, it is not, _simply_, the Knowledge of _many things_, but a multifarious Copulation of them in the Mind, that becomes prolifick of further Knowledge. And thus much for the first General _Mean_.

17. §. THE NEXT which I propose, and that a most necessary one, is _Anatomy_. ♦ The Second General _Mean_. ♦ For when upon the Dissection of _Vegetables_, we see so great a difference in them, that not only their Outward _Figures_, but also their Inward _Structure_, is so Elegant; and in all, so Various; it must needs lead us thus to Think, That these Inward _Varieties_, were either to no _End_; or if they were, we must assign to what. To imagine the first, were exceeding vain; as if _Nature_, the Handmaid of _Divine Wisdom_, should with Her fine _Needle_ and _Thred_, stitch up so many several _Pieces_, of so difficult, and yet so groundless a Work. But if for some _End_, then either only to be looked upon, or some other besides. If for this only, then this must be such as in respect whereof, Her Work is at no time, nor in any degree frustrate; the contrary whereunto, is most manifest. For although Men do every where, with frequent pleasure, behold the Outward Elegancies of _Plants_; yet the Inward Ones, which, generally, are as Precise and Various as the Outward; we see, how usual it is, for the beholding of These, to be omitted by them. And besides, when we have observed _Nature’s_ Work, as well as we can; it may be no impediment to our best Endeavours, to believe, That some Parts of it, will still remain behind, _Unseen_. So that if to be _Seen_, were the only End of it, it must needs be wholly frustrate, as to the greater number of Men; and, in some part, as to all. Wherefore, we must suppose some other _Ends_ of the said Varieties, which should have their _Effect_, and so These, not be in vain, whether Men beheld them or not; which, are, therefore, such as have respect to _Vegetation_: That the _Corn_ might grow, _so_; and the _Flower_, _so_, whether or no Men had a mind, leisure, or ability, to understand _how_.

18. §. If then the _Anatomy_ of _Vegetables_ be so useful a _Mean_, we ought not to streighten it; but to force this, as well as the rest, to its utmost Extent. And therefore, first of all, To go through all the _Parts_, with equal care; examining the _Root_, _Trunk_, _Branch_, _Leaf_, _Flower_, _Fruit_, and _Seed_. Then to Repeat or Retrograde the Dissection, from _Part_ to _Part_: in that, although the best Method of Delivery, for clear Discourse, can be but one, according to that of _Nature_, from the _Seed_ forward, to the _Seed_: yet can it not but be useful, for That of Dissection, to proceed _to_ and _fro_; somewhat or other being more Visible in each several _Part_, from whence still an Hint may be taken, for the ushering in the observation of it in the others. To examine, again, not only all the _Parts_,but _Kinds_ of _Vegetables_, and comparatively, to observe divers of the same _size_, _shape_, _motion_, _age_, _sap_, _quality_, _power_, or any other way the _same_, which may also agree, in some one or more particulars, as to their _Interiour Structure_: and to make this comparison, throughout all their _Parts_ and _Properties_. To observe them likewise, in several _Seasons_ of the Year, and in several _Ages_ of the _Plants_, and of their _Parts_; in both which, divers of them may be noted to change, not only their _Dimensions_, but their _Natures_ also; as _Vessels_, do into _Ligaments_; and _Cartilages_, into _Bones_, sometimes, in _Animals_. And to do all this by several Ways of _Section_, Oblique, Perpendicular, and Transverse; all three being requisite, if not to Observe, yet the better to Comprehend, some Things. And it will be convenient sometimes to Break, Tear, or otherwise Divide, without a _Section_. Together with the _Knife_ it will be necessary to joyn the _Microscope_; and to examine all the _Parts_, and every Way, in the use of That. As also, that both Immediate, and Microscopical Inspections, be Compared: since it is certain, That some things, may be demonstrated by Reason and the Eye conjunct, without a Glass, which cannot be discovered by it; or else the discovery is so dark, as which, alone, may not be safely depended on.

19. §. By these several Ways of Inspection, it will be requisite, To observe their Compounding _Parts_; as _Simply_ considered, and as variously _Proportioned_, and _Disposed_. As _Simply_ considered, to note their _Number_; what, and whether the same, in all: their _Kinds_, wherein different in the same, or divers _Vegetables_: their _Original_, in part, or in whole: _Structure_, as to their _Contexture_ and their _Cavities_; Their _Contexture_, within themselves severally, and as joyned together: their _Cavities_, as to their _Size_, _Shape_, and _Number_; in which a great variety will be found. Next their _Positions_ one amongst another, which are also various; as Anterior, Posterior, Collateral, Surrounding, Mediate, Immediate, Near, Remote; both as they respect the several _Parts_, and the several portions of one: And all these, as few, or more; these or others of them, may be diversely Compounded together. And then the _Proportions_ they bear one to another; whether as to Minority, Equality, or Excess; each _Part_ compared with each, and that as to the several Degrees appearing in the said _Proportions_; the Varieties whereof may be exceeding numerous. For if we should suppose but _Four_ considerable _Parts_ generally constitutive of a _Vegetable_: These _Four_, produce a Variety _Four_ ways. First, when One is Unequal; and then it produceth only _Four_ Varieties: and those two ways, _scil._ when one is Greater, and the other three, Equal and Less; or when one is Less; and the other three, Equal and Greater. Secondly, when Two be Unequal; and then they produce _Six_ Varieties. Thirdly, when Three be Unequal, which produceth _Twelve_ Varieties. Or lastly, when all Four be Unequal; which produceth _Twenty four_: which general Varieties, may be further multiplied by their several Degrees.

20. §. From all which, we may come to know, what the _Communities_ of _Vegetables_ are, as belonging to all; what their _Distinctions_, to such a Kind; their _Properties_, to such a Species; and their _Peculiarities_, to such Particular ones. And as in _Metaphysical_, or other Contemplative Matters, when we have a distinct knowledge of the _Communities_ and _Differences_ of Things, we may then be able to give their true _Definitions_: so may we possibly, here attain, to do likewise: not only to know, That every _Plant_ Inwardly differs from another, but also wherein; so as not more surely to Define by the Outward _Figure_, than by the Inward _Structure_, What that is, or those things are, whereby any _Plant_, or Sort of _Plants_, may be distinguished from all others. And having obtained a knowledge of the _Communities_ and _Differences_ amongst the _Parts_ of _Vegetables_; it may conduct us through a _Series_ of more facile and probable _Conclusions_, of the ways of their _Causality_, as to the _Communities_ and _Differences_ of _Vegetation_. And thus much for the Second General _Mean_.

21. §. HAVING THUS far examined the _Organical_ and _Containing Parts_ of _Vegetables_; ♦ The Third General _Mean_. ♦ it will be requisite, more designedly, to observe those also which are _Fluid_, or any others Contained in them: and that, for our better understanding both of the _Nature_ of _Vegetation_, and of the said _Contained Parts_. And to make inquiry, _First_ of their _Kinds_; as _Spirits_; both such as agree, in general, in being _Vinous_; and those that are Special, to particular _Plants_. _Aers_ and _Vapours_; for the existence whereof, in all _Vegetables_, there are Arguments certainly concluding. And for the difference of their _Natures_, in being more dry, or moist, more simple or compounded, as they are existent in several _Parts_, there are probable ones. _Lympha’s_ or clear and watry _Saps_; which most _Plants_, in one _Part_ or other, at some time of the Year, do _Bleed Mucilages_; as in _Mallow_ and _Violet Leaves_; in many _Seeds_, as of _Quinces_, _Clary_; _Fruits_, as in _Cucumers_; distinct from the watry _Sap_, as by permitting it to stand and gelly upon the _Vessels_ from whence it issues, is plain: And in the young _Berrys_ of White _Bryony_, when about the bigness of a _Pepper-Corn_; the juyce whereof is so Viscous, that the twentieth part of a _Grain_, will draw out above a _Yard_ in length. _Oyles_; not only in _Seeds_, and some _Fruits_, but other _Parts_; as in certain little cavities in the _Leaves_ of _Savine_, visibly collected while they are growing. _Gumms_ or _Resines_; as in _Pine_, _Fir_, and others of this Kind. _Milks_; as in a vast number of _Plants_, and amongst them, many not suspected to yield any. For, of _Herbs_, not only most of the _Umbelliferous Kind_, are _Milky_; but all or most of the _Intybous_; _Poppys_; _Tracheliums_; _Perwinkles_; divers _Thistles_; and even _Onions_, if cut at the bottome; with a great many more. Of _Trees_, not only the Little _Maple_, but the young _Shoots_ of _Lawrel_, especially being crushed; as also those of _Elder_, and some others. To which may be added, such _Mucilages_, which though not so properly contained _within_ the _Parts_, yet are found lying _over_ them; as over the first _Spring-leaves_ of all kinds of _Docks_; betwixt the _Leaves_ and the _Veil_ wherein they are involved. That fine white Flower or Powder, which lies over the _Leaves_ of some _Plants_, as of _Bears-Ear_: And in _Princes-Feather_, about certain _Apertures_ only on the edges of the _Leaves_.

22. §. Of all these should be observed, _first_ their _Receptacles_; some of them, being proper to one; others, common to two or more of them: since it is certain, that some of them do Transmigrate from one, into another _Receptacle_, or that the same _Receptacle_ is filled with Fluid Bodies, of a quite different Nature, at the different _Seasons_ of the _Year_, and _Ages_ of the _Vegetable_. And it is also very probable, That two of some of them, may, sometimes, be contained in one _Receptacle_, at the same time; as in _Animals_, the _Lympha_ in the D. _Thoracicus_, and that, and the _Chyle_, in the _Sanguineous Vessels_.

23. §. Then their _Motions_; both _Natural_, and such as may be effected by _Art_: and those either by Descent or Ascent; And in ascending, through what different _Chanels_ or _Parts_ of the _Trunk_; since it is certain, That there is a variety, both in respect of the _Season_, and of _Vegetables_. Where it will fall in, To observe the _Tapping_ of _Trees_. As also their _Bleeding_: to what _Trees_ it is proper to _bleed_: in those to which it is, with what difference of _Celerity_: and when their peculiar _Season_: for none will bleed at all times; neither will all _bleed_ at the same. And then their Collateral _Motion_, together with the Mode of their Transition from one _Organical Part_ to another.

24. §. Next their _Quantities_, either of _one_; as the Comparison is made betwixt several _Plants_, or betwixt the _Parts_ of the same. So the true _Seed_ of all _Plants_, containeth more _Oyl_, in proportion, than any of the other _Parts_. Or else of _divers_, as coexistent and bearing such a proportion one to another in the same _Part_: of most of which, it may be known by their respective _Receptacles_. Yet the Computation must not be made from the number of the said _Receptacles_, _simply_; but as that is in conjunction with their _Capacity_; and as their _Capacity_ is proportioned to their surrounding _Sides_; the _Sides_ of those of the least _Capacity_, being usually as thick, as those of the greatest: so that suppose Ten lesser, to lye within the compass of One greater; the _Content_ of these altogether, would scarce be equal to half the _Content_ of that One.

25. §. Also their _Consistence_; _scil._: of so many of them as are discriminable by Touch; in being Soft or Hard; Thin or Thick; Mucilaginous, Gummous, Glutinous, Friable, _&c._ And these in their several Degrees; in which there is a Variety, as in the _Milks_ of some _Plants_, which are more _Dilute_, than that of others: _Mucilages_; which in some, are very thick and _Viscous_, in others, more diluted and coming nearer to a _watry Sap_. And by This, to be compared in the same manner, as by their _Quantity_.

26. §. Likewise their _Colours_, _Smells_, and _Tastes_: The general and particular Kinds of all which should be noted. And to what _Contained Parts_, and in what Variety, they appertain. So most _Resinous Gumms_ are Tinctur’d, some, not; as that which drops from the _Domestick Pine_, is as clear as Rock-water. The _Milks_ of some _Plants_ are _Paler_, as in _Burdock_; of others _Whiter_, as in _Dandelyon_, _Scorzonera_; _Citrine_, in the Root of _Trachelium_, _Angelica_; _Yellow_, as in _Lovage_. In some _Plants_, _Odorous_, as in _Umbelliferous_; in others not, as in _Cichoraceous_. That of Little _Maple_, _Tasteless_; of Garden _Chervil_, _Sweet_; of _Fenil_, _Hot_; of _Scorzonera_, _Astringent_; of _Dandelion_, _Bitter_; and generally, in other _Plants_; but with many Degrees of Strength, and in conjunction with other _Tasts_. But most _Mucilages_, have little either _Colour_, _Taste_, or _Smell_; and the like. Here also the same _Qualities_ are to be inquired into, as, in general speaking, they are said to belong to a _Vegetable_. Since it is more than probable, that all _Colours_ (excepting _White_, which is sometimes common both to _Containing_ and _Contained Parts_) all _Odours_, and _Tastes_, which are more immediately, and without a resolution of their _Essential Principles_, perceptible in a _Plant_; are not ascribable either to the _Organical_, or _Containing Parts_; but only to Those, Contained in them; as from divers reasons hereafter may appear.

27. §. And _first_, their _Colours_; where, with respect to several _Plants_ and _Parts_, they are more _Changeable_; as Red, in _Flowers_; or _Constant_, as Green, in _Leaves_. Which, with respect to several Ages of one _Part_, are more _fading_, as Green in _Fruits_; or _durable_, as Yellow in _Flowers_. In what _Parts_ more _Single_, as always in the _Seed_; or more _Compounded_, as in the _Flower_; and in what _Plants_ more especially, as in _Pancy_. Which proper to _Plants_ that have such a _Taste_ or _Smell_, as both, in _White Flowers_, are usually less strong. To _Plants_ that flower in such a _Season_, as a _Yellow Flower_, I think, chiefly, to _Spring Plants_. And to _Plants_ that are natural to such a _Soil_ or _Seat_, as to _Water-plants_, more usually, a _white Flower_. What, amongst all _Colours_, more Common to _Plants_, as _Green_; or more Rare, as _Black_. And what all these Varieties of _Colours_ are upon _Cultivation_, but chiefly, in their natural _Soil_. To observe also with their superficial _Colours_, those within: so the _Roots_ of _Docks_, are _Yellow_; of _Bistort_, _Red_; of _Avens_, Purple; but of most, White. Where the Inward, and Superficial _Colours_ agree; as in the _Leaves_; or vary, as in the other Parts frequently. And in what manner they are _Situated_; some universally spreading, others running only along with the _Vessels_, as in the _Leaves_ of Red _Dock_, and the _Flowers_ of _Wood-Sorrel_.

28. §. Next their _Odours_; what may be their principal _Seat_; whether one or divers _Seats_ in the same _Plant_. What the chief _Matter_ out of which they are continually bred. What similitude betwixt the _Smells_ of divers _Vegetables_; as betwixt _Baume_, and a _Limon_; the Green _Leaves_ of _Meadow-sweet_, and the green Rinds of _Walnuts_. Or betwixt those of _Plants_ and _Animals_; as the _Smell_ of green and well-grown _Carduus_, is like to that rank _scent_, _ab aliquorum axillis spiranti_. Which have a more sensible _Smell_; as most have; and which have less, as _Corn_. Where the green _Leaf_ is the most Fragrant _Part_, as in _Musk-Cranesbill_; where the _Flower_, as in _Roses_; the _Root_, as in sweet _Calamus_. Where all the _Parts_ have some _Odour_, where some, or one, only; as in _Scurvy-grass_, only the _Flowers_, unless the _Leaves_ are bruis’d; and in _Arum_, the _Pestil_ only; for neither the _Leaf_, nor _Root_ hath any _Smell_, unless cut; but this is strong enough, not much unlike to _Humane Excrements_.

29. §. But especially their _Tastes_, which it much importeth us more precisely to distinguish; _First_, by their general _Kinds_; for the number, even of these, may be computed greater than usually it is. I remember not, that _Heat_ and _Acritude_, with respect to _Taste_, are distinguished; yet _Arum-Root_ is very _Pungent_, without any proper _Heat_; and _Cloves_, are very _Hot_, without any proper _Pungency_. So the White _Roots_ of _Yarrow_, have a _Taste_, hardly any other way perceptible, than by causing a gentle _glowing_ and _continued Warmth_ upon the Tongue. Also their _Respondencies_ one to another; as that of _Zedoary_, and of the lesser _Cardamoms_, is somewhat like to _Camphire_. Likewise their _Degrees_; in which there is a great latitude, and may be extended from _One_ to _Ten_, or with easie distinction, from _One_ to _Five_: So the _Root_ of _Sorrel_, is Bitter in the _first_; of _Dock_, in the _second_; of _Dog-Rose_, in the _third_; of _Dandelyon_, in the _fourth_; of _Gentian_, in the _fifth_: observing them, not only as they vary in several _Kinds_ of _Plants_, but the several _Species_ of one, as in _Cichory_, _Hawkweed_, _Dandelyon_. And then their _Compositions_; for _Tastes_ are as truly _conjunct_ in one _Part_, as _Colours_: by which, the latitude is still greater; In that all Kinds of _Tastes_, in all their Degrees, and in differing Numbers, may be variously Compounded together: For the most part, _Two_, as in the _Leaves_ of _sharp-pointed Dock_, _Astringent_, and _Sowre_; in _Sorrel-Roots_, _Astringent_ and _Bitter_; and in _Aloes_, _Bitter_ and _Sweet_; the one in the _fifth_, the other, in the _first Degree_; as upon an unprejudiced tryal may be perceived: and yet more evidently in the _Gall_ of any _Land-Animal_. Sometimes _three_, as in _Agrimony_, _Bitter_, _Rough_, and _Sowrish_ and in _Agarick_, _Bitter_, _Rough_, and _Sweet_. And sometimes, perhaps more. The Sensible distinctions of all which, may lye almost as wide, as of _Plants_ themselves. Wherefore, although it may be thought rashness, to take away the distinctions of _Hot_, _Cold_, _Moist_, _Dry_, _Thin_, _Gross_, and other _Qualities_, in their several Degree, which the _Ancients_ have affixed to particular _Plants_: yet since they have done it, to many of them, with much uncertainty; and that, withal, they are, more properly, the _Effects_ and _Operations_ of _Plants_, than their _Qualites_; Practical Observation, may therefore approve it useful, to add these Sensible Ones of various _Tastes_, precisely distinguishing their _Conjugations_ and _Degrees_. Lastly, their several Varieties and Mutations, with respect to the Subject wherein they reside, should also be noted. As, of all _Tastes_ found in _Plants_, _Bitter_ and _Sowr_, are most common; _Sweet_ and _Salt_, most rare. Which latter, is not only perceptible in some _Sea-Plants_; but upon some others, as upon the fresh _Leaves_ of _Tamarisk_; which being licked while they grow, or when immediately gathered, are plainly _Saltish_. How they vary with the _Age_ of the _Plant_, or _Part_; as the _Roots_ of _Radishes_, growing up to _Seed_, lose the strength of their _Tast_; so most _Fruits_ are first _Sowre_, then _Sweet_. What proper to the several _Parts_ of any one _Plant_; so the _Leaves_ of _Wormwood_ are extraordinary _Bitter_; the _Root_ scarcely so at all; of an _Hot_, but quite different _Taste_. What more Common, or Rare, to any _Part_; so no _Root_ that I ever tasted, is _Sowre_. And how they Alternate in several _Plants_; as the _Root_ of _Stock-July-flower_ is biting, not the _Leaves_; on the contrary, the _Leaves_ of the _Water-Arsmart_, are _Biting_; but not the _Root_; and the like. To which we may add the difference of Time wherein the _Tastes_ of _Plants_ are perceived; as those of _Arum_, and _Rape-Crowfoot_, are both _Biting_; but that of the first, as it is slowly perceived, so it continues long; that of the other, quickly comes, and quickly goes.

30. §. Amongst the other Adjuncts of the _Contained Parts_, though not of these only, the _Faculties_ of _Vegetables_ are to be reputed. For so the _Rosin_ of _Jalap_, which is Purgative, is as truly contained in the _Organical Parts_ of that _Root_, as Blood is in _Veins_: It will be requisite therefore to make particular observation of these also. And first, what _Faculties_ chiefly may reside in _Plants_, above others: so there is none of known use in _Salivation_, except by holding in the mouth: Although we may ask, Why some amongst them, may not (being Taken inwardly) have a power to evacuate by This, as well as other Violent ways? Where the _Faculty_ is more universally spread over all the _Parts_ of a _Vegetable_, as in _Asarum_. Where belonging chiefly or wholly to any particular _Parts_ or _Part_; as chiefly to the _Root_ of _Rhubarb_; and only to the true and proper _Seed_ of _Barbado Nuts_. Whether some _Faculties_, may be proper to some _Parts_ especially. What conjunction they may have with any sensible _Qualities_. So, many _Purgers_, are not only _Resinous_ and _Gummous_; But also _Mucilaginous_; as _Bryony_, wild _Cucumer_, _Lapathum Sativum_; and therefore probably _Rhubarb_, when growing; _Mallows_, _Violets_, _&c._ Such as are Purging and Vomitory, though some of them have a strong _Taste_, yet the greater part, and of those, many of the stronger sort, have no _Taste_, or not Great; as _Senna_, _Jalap_, _Scammony_, _Hellebore_, _Asarum_, and others. Amongst which, although _Hellebore_ hath a very _Durable Taste_, yet is it not very _High_ or _Great_. So also, those that are most sensibly tasted, are, I think, for the most part, more or less _Bitter_; either simply, as _Colocynthis_; or _Bitter_ and _Astringent_, as _Rhubarb_; or _Bitter_ and _Sweet_, as _Aloe_; or _Bitter_, _Astringent_, and _Sweet_, as _Agarick_. Few are _Hot_, as _Iris_. Or _simply_ Sweet. And though some may be Subacid, that are Mollifying or Lenitive, yet no proper Purge or Vomit is _Sowre_. Such _Plants_ as are of a soft and sweetish _Taste_, without Viscosity, may be accounted good _Antiscorbuticks_, especially against the _Sea_, or other _Salt-Scurvey_; as are good sweet Pease: And sometimes the _Water_ or _Spirit_ of the _Shells_; which may easily be drawn from them, being first duly fermented, and hath a true _Vinous Taste_; but very mild, and not unpleasant. Those _Plants_, whose Parts are not only _Hot_ but _Volatile_, as _Onions_, are generally good for _Burns_. Such as have a _Balsamick Taste_ or _Smell_, with a little _Astringency_, as _Hypericum_, _Golden-Rod_, _Lamium Luteum_, _&c._ the best _Wound-Herbs_. And such as are gently _Bitter_, and _Penetrant_ upon the _Tongue_, or in the _Throat_, as _Daisy_, _Anagallis_, good _Cleansers_. That such _Bodys_, principally, are _Anodyne_, which are _Yellow_, I think, is more than a conceit; Yelks of Eggs, Fœnugreek Seeds, Lint-seed Oyl, May-Butyr, Marrow, _Pinguedo Humana_, _Hyoscyamus luteus_, Safron, Sulphur, Opium, all _Anodyne_ and _Yellow_. How likewise their _Faculties_ and _Qualities_ may vary their Degrees, either differently or together: so _Aloe_ and _Colocynthis_, are both _Bitter_ in the highest Degree; yet _Aloe_, which is also _Sweet_, Purgeth more moderately; _Colocynthis_, which is _Bitter_, but not _Sweet_, most Violently. How far the _Faculties_ of _Vegetables_, as well as their _Qualities_, may be Compounded; where, and which chiefly; as Astrictive and Purgative in _Rhubarb_. Where this Question may be put, Whether divers other, and yet more extreme _Faculties_, as well as these of Astrictive and Purgative, may not somewhere or other be also found, or made, to meet: whereby the same _Plant_, or some _Preparation_ of it, may be most Potent, and yet most Innocent; the _Malignity_ thereof exerting its Power, and the _Virtue_ its Sovereignty at the same time. And lastly, what _Affinity_ there may be betwixt them; as most _Plants_, that are strong Purgatives, and especially Vomitories, I think, are also _Sternutatory_; as white _Hellebore_, _Jalap_, _Tobacco_: and on the contrary, such as are _Sternutatory_, are some of the most proper and most potent _Medicines_ for the Head, Brain, and _Genus Nervosum_, Taken inwardly, as _Lilium convalle_, _&c._ and the like.

31. §. Thus far a particular observation of the _Qualities_ and _Faculties_ of the _Contents_ of _Vegetables_ may proceed, as they are existent in their _Natural Estate_. From which, although some probable Conjectures may be made, of their Material and Formal _Essences_, and of the _Causes_ of their determinate Varieties, or the _Modes_ of _Vegetation_ necessary thereunto: yet will our Conceptions hereof be more facile, clear, and comprehensive, if by all other Ways of Observation, they be likewise examined, according as _Experiment_ maybe applicable to any of them.

32. §. As by _Contusion_; so some _Plants_ give their _Smell_, not without Rubbing, or not so well; as the green _Leaves_ of _Stramonium_, _Scurvygrass_, and many more: others lose it by Rubbing, as the _flowers_ of _Violets_, _Carnations_, _Borage_, _&c._ others yield it both ways, as _Rosemary_, _&c._ So some _Apples_ mend their _Taste_, by Scoaping, and _Pears_ by Rowling, especially that called the _Rowling Pear_.

33. §. By _Agitation_; which doth that, sometimes, by Force, which _Digestion_, doth by Heat: so any cold _Oyl_ and a _Syrup_ being, in a due manner, agitated together, of two Fluid bodies will become one Consistent, as is known.

34. §. By _Frigifaction_; how far the _Juyces_ of _Plants_, either without or within them, may be any of them, or some more than others, subject to _Cold_: and thereby to be deprived of their _Motion_ or natural _Consistence_, or may suffer alteration in their _Colour_, _Taste_, or _Smell_.

35. §. By _Infusion_; where I mean _Infusion_ only in Common Water; So both _Cassia Lignea_, and _Cinnamon_ are a little Mucilaginous; but the former most. Some of the _Contents_ of _Plants_, may be wholly dissolved in Common Water; some but in part, others not at all; or very little; which is proper to some _Milks_, as well as _Gums_. The _Colours_, _Smells_ or _Tastes_ they hereupon yield, are found various; and in some very unexpected: So the green _Leaves_ of _Bawm_, being duly infused in common Water, without any other Body added, tincture it with a clear and deep Red, near that of _Claret Wine_, as I have often tryed.

36. §. By _Subsiding_; So the Juyce of _Sorrel_, being ordered as that of _Grapes_, will, in time, let fall a kind of _Tartar_ or _Essential Salt_. And so perhaps will that of many other _Plants_, without any previous _Decoction_; although that be commonly thought to be necessary.

37. §. By _Digestion_ with _Fermentation_; either of the entire _Vegetables_, or of the _Juyces_, or other _Contents_; and these by themselves, or with common Water. And hereby to note, what difference may be in the Strength, Celerity, or Continuance of the _Fermentation_. Likewise, how their _Qualities_ may thereby be altered; as the Smell of _Violet-flowers_, from a most excellent _Fragrancy_, may, by _Digestion_, be reduced to an odious and abominable _Stink_, like that of the black Mud of _Gutters_.

38. §. By _Digestion_ with _Calefaction_; so the _Colour_ of the _Juyce_ of _Limons_, from Transparency (if that be a Colour) may be turned to a perfect Red. Whence it is that many are deceived in the _Preparation_ called the _Tincture_ of _Corals_; supposing the _Corals_ to give the _Menstruum_ its Colour. Whereas the _Menstruum_ will obtain it, only by _Digestion_, without any _Corals_, mixed with it.

39. §. By _Decoction_; either of _Vegetables_ themselves, or of their _Liquors_; and to observe what alterations follow. So _Turpentine_ boiled becometh friable, _Sugar_, _Bitter_, and of a Brown Red. _Turneps_ lose their Biting _Taste_; _Onions_, their Picquancy; yet neither of them convey those self same _Qualities_ to the Water. The same may be observed in the _Decoction_ of _Sweet-Fennel-seeds_, _Aniseeds_, and others, losing much of their _Tastes_ themselves, and yet conveying very little of them to the _Liquors_ wherein they are boiled; the greater portion of their Volatile parts, and so their _Virtue_ and _Taste_ therewith, flying away. Whereof therefore it is much better to make an _Emulsion_, than to _decoct_ them; or to make an _Emulsion_ from them, with their own _Decoction_, especially if the _Medicine_ be intended to be _Carminative_, as I have frequently observed. The _Decoction_ should also be carried on throughout all degrees to that of an _Extract_; by which the _Qualities_ thereof, sometimes, are much altered; as the _Colour_ of all or most green _Leaves_, from a kind of Yellow, deepens at last into a dark one, as Black as Pitch.

40. §. By _Distillations_; both with the cold _Still_, _Alembick_, _Chappel-_ and open _Furnace_: and to note what _Vegetables_ thus give their _Smell_ or _Taste_, and in what Degrees of strength, either under, or over their natural ones; as _Mint_, _Pennyroyal_, and the like, which are _Aromatick_ and _Hot_, give their _Tastes_ perfect: but _Wormwood_, which is _Aromatick_ and _Bitter_; gives it but by halfs, pretty fully as _Aromatick_, little as _Bitter_. And _Carduus_, though also so exceeding _Bitter_, yet not being _Aromatick_, yieldeth a much weaker _Taste_. Also what _Vegetables_ yield _Oyl_ most plentifully; and what difference may be in those _Oyls_, as to their _Colour_, _Weight_, or otherwise; as that of _Cloves_ is sometimes Red; of _Cinnamon_, limpid; both Ponderous. So to distil _Juices_, _Gums_, or other _Contents_, with an hot _fire_; and to see, what Bodies they yield, and of what _Qualities_; as _Turpentine_ is known to yield, besides its _Oyl_, a subacid _Water_; _Vinegar_, an Eager _Spirit_; as that part may be called, which _Chymists_ are wont to call the _Phlegm_.

41. §. By _Arefaction_; so _Milks_ which are Liquid, and White in their Natural Estate, in Standing, grow Gummous, Yellow, and otherwise different, so doth that of _Scorzonera_; and that of _Fenil_ becomes a Balsamical, but Limpid _Oyl_. The _Roots_ of _Angelica_, being dry’d, and cut by the length, exhibit their small _Veins_ fill’d with an Aromatick _Rosin_. In the whiter parts of _Rhubarb_, is gathered a kind of _Saline Concret_; by which, this _Root_, in chewing, seems as if it were a little gritty. _Cabbage-Stalks_, sliced, and laid in the Shade to dry, gather on them a kind of _Nitrous_ Hoar. _Raisins_ and _Corins_ contain, not only a sweet Juyce, but also a true _Sugar_, which lies _curdled_ in the _Pulp_, as the more _Saline_ parts do in Green Soap. And the like is gather’d on the out-side of a _Fig_; saving, that it is more _Nitrous_, as lying next the _Aer_. The _Roots_ of _Arum_, upon drying, lose much of the strength of their _Taste_; but the contrary may be noted of many other _Roots_, which, upon drying, increase it. Some, being cut and laid by, change their Natural _Colours_, into Red, Purple, Yellow, Green, or White; as _Liquorish_, into White, in some places; and _Peony_, into Red: and sometimes into two; as _Patience_, into Yellow and Red.

42. §. By _Assation_; thus _Apples_, by roasting, eat more Sowre. The _Root_ of _Horse-Radish_, toasted, tasteth like a _Turnep_. _Potatoes_, _Onions_, and many other _Roots_, and _Parts_, have their _Tastes_, either Altered or Refracted; which chiefly, and in what manner, should be observed. There is one alteration, as remarkable, as commonly known; and is that which followeth upon roasting or baking in one kind of the _Waldensian Pears_, which, for a _Walden_, we corruptly call a _Warden_.

43. §. By _Ustion_; wherein some _Plants_, or _Parts_ of them, burn very quietly; others, not without violent motions; so _Fenil-Seeds_, held in the flame of a Candle, will spit and spurtle, like the _Serum_ of _Blood_. Some _Vegetables_ lose their _Smell_, as _Roses_; others, keep it, as _Rosemary_; and others, mend it, as _Lignum Aloes_, To note, not only the alteration of their _Qualities_, but what they yield; as _Turpentine_, which, in _Distillation_, yieldeth _Oyl_ and _Water_, both limpid; upon _Ustion_, sheweth nothing but a black _Soot_. So _Benzoine_, by _Distillation_, _Oyl_; by _Ustion_, white _Flowers_, as is known.

44. §. By _Calcination_; and here to observe, wherein the _Caput Mortuum_ of one, may differ from, or agree in Nature with that of another; and also to compare these with those of _Animal Bodies_. As also in their _Quantities_. And to compare them with what they yield by _Distillation_ and _Ustion_ as to both. Thus far they have been tryed _singly_, or by themselves. They should also be examined.

45. §. By _Composition_; not only with _Water_, as in simple _Infusions_, _&c._ but with any other Bodies, which may have a power of acting upon them, or upon which, these may have a power to act. And so to make _Infusions_, _Destillations_, _Decoctions_, _Digestions_, in divers kinds of _Liquors_, as _Vinegar_, _Urine_, _Spirit_ of _H. H. Wine_, _Blood_, _Milk_, or others. So in _Infusions_, some Red Colours are heightned by _Acids_; Blews, turned Purple. So fetid _Spirits_ (as of _H.H._) may be rendred much more grateful, by being _Rectified_, once or twice, with fresh _Aromaticks_, To observe also what follows, upon mixing the _Liquors_, or other Parts of _Plants_ together, as _Oyl_ of _Turpentine_, by _Digestion_ with a _Lixivial Salt_, extracteth thence a Red _Tincture_. Or with _Salts_, _Earths_, _Metals_, or any other Bodies; as the _Juyce_ of the green _Leaves_ of _Rasberry_, _Primrose_, and divers other _Plants_ (I think principally such as are Astringent) expressed upon _Steel_, as it drieth, becometh of a _Purple Colour_.

46. §. Lastly, by _Compounding_ the _Experiment_ it self, or joyning two or more of them, upon the same matter: as _Fermentation_ and _Destillation_, as is used for some _Waters_. _Infusion_ and _Fermentation_, as in making of _Beer_. _Fermentation_ and _Coction_, or rather _Assation_, as in making of _Bread_. _Arefaction_ and _Destillation_, as may be tryed upon some _Herbs_; and with what difference from what may be noted, upon their being distilled, moist.

47. §. Having proceeded thus far, by all the above particular Ways of Observation; a Comparative Prospect must be taken of them: by which, at last, the _Communities_ and _Differences_ of the _Contents_ of _Vegetables_, may be discerned; the manner of their _Causation_ and _Original_, partly, be judged of; and wherein it is, that the _Essence_ of their several _Natures_ and _Qualities_ doth consist, in some measure comprehended. And consequently, both from the knowledge of their particular _Natures_, and the Analogy found betwixt them; we may be able, better to conjecture, and try, what any of them are, or may be good for. For certainly, we shall then know, more readily, to apply things unto, and more fitly to prepare them for, their Proper Uses, when we first know, _what they are_. Notwithstanding, since the _Faculties_ of _Plants_, do often lie more recluse; it is best,therefore, not wholly to acquiesce in such Conjectures, as their _Tastes_, or other _Sensible Properties_ may suggest; but to subjoyn _Experiment_. In making of which, and in passing a Judgment thereupon, many Cautions, both in respect of the _Plant_ whereof, and the _Subject_ whereupon it is made, are requisite to be attended. Which yet, in regard they result not so directly from the Matter at present in hand; I shall not, therefore, here insist upon them, And thus much for the Third General _Mean_.

48. §. THE _Contents_ of the _Organical Parts_ of _Vegetables_, having been thus duly Examined: ♦ The Fourth General _Mean_. ♦ it will be requisite to make the like Inquiry into their _Principles_; or the _Bodys_, immediately concurrent and essential to their Being. And of these, we are to observe, First, their _Number_; whether well reducible to _five_, _six_, _seven_, or _more_, or _fewer_: and the Special Differences observable under any one General; since there are many Bodies, of very different Natures, confounded under one Name. Next their _Conjugation_; which they are, that either under or over those observable in _animal_, or other _Bodies_, are here joyned together in a _Plant_; How far common to the _Organical Parts_ of divers _Plants_; or to the several _Organical Parts_ of one; or how far different in them. So the predominant _Principle_ of the _Parenchymous Parts_ of a _Plant_, that it is an _Acid_, seems evident, From the general Nature of _Fruits_; and of _Corn_; and most _Parenchymous Roots_, which are either Spirituous, or Sower, or by Digestion, do easily become such. Likewise their _Proportions_; which stand in the greatest, which in the least, or in the meaner _Quantities_, and in what Degrees; both in divers _Vegetables_, and in the several _Organical Parts_ of one. And then the _Concentration_ and _Union_ of them altogether; as to the degrees of their Closeness or Laxity; or the manner of their Implication and Coherency; or as to their Location, one being more Central, another more Exposed and Rampant over the rest; or otherwise different. To examine these _Principles_, by their _Colour_, _Taste_, _Smell_, _Consistence_, _Fixedness_, _Volatility_, _Weight_, _Figures_, or other _Accidents_. And to these purposes, to go through the formentioned Ways of _Experiment_; as _Ustion_, _Calcination_, _Destillation_, _&c._ as any of them may appear applicable hereunto. So the _Essential Salt_ of _Wormwood_, which may be obtained from the _Lixivial_; is _Bitter_, transparent, and commonly, of a _Cylindrick_ figure: whereas that which is obtained by _Coction_, or from the _Extract_, is _tasteless_, greyish, and almost _Cubick_: and that in the Extract of the Green _Leaves_ of _Violets_, appears in fine transparent _Shoots_, like so many little Needles. And it is probable, That the _Salts_ of most Kinds of _Plants_, whether Lixivial or Essential; and of these, whether obtained by _Decoction_, or otherwise, have either their _Figure_, or other _Qualities_, proper to themselves, whereby they are all distinguished one from another. And lastly, to make _Experiment_ upon these _Principles_, mixing them with one another, or with other Bodies, or otherwise.

49. §. I know it will be difficult to make observations of this kind upon the _Organical Parts_ of _Plants_, severally. Yet I have thought of some Ways, whereby true and undeceivable ones may be made. And the better to illustrate what I mean, I shall give one or two Instances of Tryal to this purpose. For the making of which, and some others of the like nature, I considered, That upon the _Anatomical Analysis_ of all the _Parts_ of a _Plant_, I had certainly found, (and shall hereafter shew) That in all _Plants_, there are _Two, and only Two Organical Parts Essentially distinct_, _viz._ The _Pithy Part_, and the _Lignous Part_, or such others as are analogous to either of These. So that, if we can think of any _Plants_, which will afford us either of these two, though not perfectly, yet in some good measure, simple and unmixed: We may then see, by putting them to a _Chymical Test_, what _Principles_ and _Proportion_ of _Principles_, concur to _specifie_ their _Substantial Forms_.

50. §. To the _Pithy Part_, _Starch_, or pure _Manchet_ is analogous, as having very little of the _Lignous_ mixed with them. I therefore ordered ℔ ij of _Starch_ to be put into a _Retort_, and with a _Receiver_ affixed, to be set in a _Sand Furnace_; and that all it would yield, should, by degrees, be forced over; which, besides what was evaporated at the Neck of the _Receiver_, was about ℔ j. of an acid and eager _Liquor_, of a heavy and blackish _Oyl_ ℥ ss, and of a light _Oyl_ ʒ j. The _Caput Mortuum_ could not be reduced to Ashes, by the strongest heat which a _naked fire_ in that Furnace would produce.

51. §. To the _Lignous Part_, _Hemp_ or _Flax_ is analogous, having very little of the _Pithy_ mixed with them. I caused therefore ℔ ij of _Flax_ to be put into a _Retort_, and manag’d as the _Starch_: whereupon, it yielded a Liquor, as I remember, somewhat like the former, and about the same quantity; no _Oyl_ which remained liquid, when cold; but instead of that a _Butyr_, almost of the Consistence and Colour of the _Oyl_ of _Mace_; and of this above ℥ iij, or near six times the quantity of the _Oyl_ which was yielded by the _Starch_. The _Caput Mortuum_ being burned to a white _Ash_, yielded some portion of a _Lixivial Salt_.

52. §. From whence, I shall, at present, only make these two Remarques; _First_, That although the chief portion, as to quantity, in both these _Bodys_, (as in most _Plants_) is an Acid Liquor; yet the latter, yields also some of an Alkaly, which the other doth not. So that they are the _Lignous Parts_ of a _Plant_, generally, which yield the _Alkalick Salt_, or at least in the greatest Proportion. _Secondly_, That the _Sulphurious or Oleous Principle_, is also much more predominant in the _Lignous Part_, than in the _Pithy_. To these, the like Tryals upon other _Plants_, should be added; and other ways. So, in regard the _Soot_ of most _Woods_, yields a _Volatile Alkaly_; it were fit to examine, Whether the _Soot_ which is made of the _Pithy Parts_ and that, of the _Lignous_, afford the said _Alkaly_, in equal qantity; or whether, as is most likely, that of the _Lignous_ doth afford it in a far greater: and the like.

53. §. The prosecution of what is here proposed, will be requisite, To a fuller and clearer view, of the _Modes_ of _Vegetation_, of the _Sensible Natures_ of _Vegetables_, and of their more Recluse _Faculties_ and _Powers_. First, of the _Modes_ of _Vegetation_. For suppose we were speaking of a _Root_; from a due consideration of the _Properties_ of any _Organical Part_ or _Parts_ thereof; ’tis true, that the real and genuine _Causes_ may be rendred, of divers other dependent _Properties_, as spoken generally of the whole _Root_. But it will be asked again, What may be the _Causes_ of those _first_ and Independent ones? Which, if we will seek, we must do it by inquiring also, What are the _Principles_ of those _Organical Parts_? For it is necessary, that the _Principles_ whereof a Body doth consist, should be, if not all of them the _active_, yet the _capacitating Causes_, or such as are called _Causæ sine quibus non_, of its becoming and being, in all respects, both as to _Substance_ and _Accidents_, what it is: otherwise, their Existence, in that Body, were altogether superfluous; since it might have been without them: which is so, it might then have been made of any other; there being no necessity of putting any difference, if neither those, whereof it is made, are thought necessary to its Being. Wherefore if we will allow a Body, and so the _Organical Parts_ of a _Vegetable_ to have _Principles_, we must allow these _Principles_ their necessary Use; and that the Shapes or other Properties of the said _Parts_, are as much dependant upon the _Nature_ of These; as is the Roundness of a Drop of Ink, upon the Fluidity of Water, ingredient to it.

54. §. Again, the _Principles_ of the _Organical Parts_ being known, we may from thence obtain a further knowledge of the _Natures_, and _Causation_ or _Original_ of their _Contents_; since these _Contents_ are not only included in the said _Organical Parts_, but also Created by them: and must needs be so, whether we will suppose the _Principles_ of these _Contents_ to be præ-existent to their reception thereinto, or not. For, if not præ-existent, what can be clearer, than that the said _Parts_ give them their Existence? And if præ-existent, yet in regard they are distinguished, and such only of them admitted in such sort into an _Organical Part_, from amongst others, as are apt to combine and mix together in such a _Form_, and so to constitute such a _Liquor_; it is as clear, that the Existence, if not of those _Principles_, yet of that _Liquor_, is dependent on the said _Part_.

55. §. And if by means of the said _Organical Parts_, it is, that their _Contents_ become _such_ and _such_ peculiar _Mixtures_; it is hence also manifest, That, by the same means, they are of _such_ distinct _Faculties_ and _Powers_: Because the _Faculty_ or _Power_ of a Body, lieth not in any of its _Principles_ apart; but is a Resultance from them all; or from their being, in such peculiar sort and manner, United and Combined together. So the _Principles_ of the Purgative Parts of a _Root_, as of _Rhubarb_, although we should suppose them to be existent in the surrounding _Earth_, yet we cannot say, That _that Earth_, or the _Principles_ therein contained, are Purgative; but only that they are such, as by being combined together, in such a peculiar way, may become _so_. So the several parts of a _Clock_, although they are and must be all præ-existent to it, and it is their _Form_, by which they are, what they are; yet is it the _setting together_ of such _Parts_, and in such a way only, that makes them a _Clock_. And since we see that the _Mixture_ of two Bodies of two different _Qualities_, as of Two _Colours_, will produce a Third _Colour_, differing from them both; as Blue and Red, do a Murrey: Why should not Two or More Bodies of different _Natures_, be so combined together, as to produce a Third _Nature_? Or wherefore may not that be allowed to be performed by _Nature_, which by Artificial Compounding of _Medicines_, or other Bodies, is designed, and often times effected? I’ll give but one Instance; _Water_, _Grease_, and an _Alcatizate Salt_, may be easily so ordered as to be inverted with new _Qualities_, _Nature_, and _Powers_; the _Salt_, to lose its extreme fiery Pungent _Taste_; the _Tallow_, its _Smell_; and being before unsociable with the _Water_, to mingle therewith: neither _Tallow_, _Salt_, nor _Water_ alone, will fetch out a spot of _Grease_; but all united easily do it: the same Three Bodys united, are, in some Cases, as in the _Jaundies_, no ill _Medicine_; any of which, given alone, may rather prove prejudicial, than a cure: and all this done, only by duly boiling them together into one Body, which we call _Sope_.

56. §. Whence again, if it be such an _Union_, and _Proportion_, of such a _Sort_ of _Principles_, which produceth such a _Faculty_; and that we may, by any means, come to know what these are; we may, possibly, also attain to the knowledge of such _Rules_, whereby any kind of _Faculty_ may be made; as to Compound such Bodies, which are neither Purgative nor Vomitory, so together, as to be Invested with those _Faculties_. And if to Make them, then consequently, to Mend, Exalt, Strengthen, and Enoble them, with greater ease and certainty. And thus much for the Fourth General _Mean_.

57. §. HITHERTO, We have considered the _Materials_ of a _Vegetable_, only as Ingredient to it: ♦ The Fifth General _Mean_. ♦ there yet remains a _Fifth Story_ to be ascended; which is, to consider these _Materials_ as they are derived from _abroad_: or as, after they are received and naturalized, they may, with others yet abroad, have any kind of correspondence. And these are _Four_ in general, _scil._ _Earth_, _Water_, _Aer_, and _Sun_; all which, in that they contribute so universally to _Vegetation_, and to whatsoever is contained in a _Vegetable_, it is therefore requisite, that of These likewise, Particular Observation should be made.

58. §. And First, of the _Earth_, and of all Solid Receptacles of _Plants_. Where we are to consider their several _Kinds_; as Mellow, Sandy, Clayie, Chalky, and others. Their _Ingredients_; as Rank and Mellow _Earth_, with Sand, or with Clay; or Sand with Clay; or altogether; and in what Proportions. The _Principles_ whereinto any one of these _Ingredients_, separated from the rest, and put to the Test of _Distillation_, _Ustion_, _Calcination_, or other, either alone, or by mixture with other Bodies, may be Resolved. And by their _Qualities_, as _Colour_, _Smell_, _Taste_, _&c._ both _Ingredients_ and _Principles_ to be examined. To make tryal of the growth of _Plants_, in all kinds of _simple Soils_; either _Earthy or Mineral_, as Clay, Marl, Oker, Fullers Earth, Bole Armeniac, Vitriol, Allum, _&c._ or _Vegetable_, as Rotten Wood, Brans, Starch, or Flower, _&c._ or _Animal_, as Dungs, pounded Flesh, dried and powdered Blood, and the like; that it may appear, how far any of these may contribute to the growth of a _Plant_; or to one, above another.

59. §. Next of the _Water_, and of all Liquid Receptacles. Where the several kinds of _Water_, from Wells, Springs, Rain, and Rivers are, by their _Qualities_ and _Faculties_, to be examined; as these, and by these, their _Principles_, either in their Natural State, or upon Digestion, or otherwise, may be observable: since Common _Water_ it self, is undoubtedly compounded of several _Principles_; the simplicity thereof, not being argued, from its Clearness and Transparency; for a Solution of _Alum_, though it containeth a considerable quantity of _Earth_, is yet very Clear: nor from its seeming to have neither _Smell_ nor _Taste_; for _Water-drinkers_ will tell you of the varieties of both in different _Waters_. Besides, if these _Qualities_ should be accounted rather Phansie, than Sense; the difference of _Waters_ is yet more manifest, from their different Effects, observed by _Cooks_, _Laundresses_, _Brewers_, and others, that have occasion to use them: for not to mix with _Sope_, without curdling; not to boil Meat tender, or without colouring it red; and the like, are the vices of some _Waters_, not of others, which yet would seem, in Colour, Taste, and Smell, to be the same. Tryal should also be made of the growth of _Plants_ in all kinds of Liquid Receptacles, as _Common Water_, _Snow Water_, _Sea Water_, _Urine_, _Milk_, _Whey_, _Wine_, _Oyl_, _Ink_, _&c._ Or any of these, with a solution of _Salt_, _Nitre_, _Sal prunellæ_, _Sope_, or other body. And hereby to observe what follows, either in the _Liquor_, or in the _Plant_ it self: as if any _fixed_ Body, being weighed before its dissolution in _Water_; and if the _Plant_, set herein, groweth; the _Water_, being then evaporated; whether the quantity of that dissolved body, continue the same, or is lessened. So, whether any _Vegetable_ will become _Opiate_, by growing a considerable time in a plain Solution or Water-tincture of _Opium_; and the like. Which _Experiments_, what event soever they have, yet at least, for our further instruction in the _Nature_ of _Vegetation_, may be of use.

60. §. Next of _Aer_, where it will be requisite to inquire, what sort of Bodies may be herein contained: It being probable, from the variety of _Meteors_ formed herein; and of _Vapours_ and _Exhalations_ continually advanced hereinto; that some or other of them, may bear an Analogy, to all Volatile Bodys, whether _Animal_, _Vegetable_, or _Mineral_. The flourishings also of _Frozen Dew_; and the Green Colour, which the _Aer_ gives the Ground or Water, when, for some time exposed to it; and other effects; seem to argue, that it is Impregnated with _Vegetable Principles_. To consider also the peculiar Nature of that Body, which is strictly called, _Aer_, And of that true _Aerial Salt_, which to me, seemeth probable, that it is dissolved in the _Æther_, as other _Salts_ are in _Water_, or in the Vaporous parts of the _Aer_. As also to try, what different Effects, a diversity of _Aer_ may have upon a _Vegetable_; as by setting a _Plant_, or _Seed_, either exceeding Low, as at the bottom of a deep Well; or exceeding High, as on the top of a Steeple. Or else by exposing some _Soil_ to the _Aer_, which is assuredly free from any _Seed_, and so, as no _Seed_ can light upon it; and to observe, whether the _Aer_ hath a power of producing a _Vegetable_ therein, or not: and the like.

61. §. Lastly of the _Sun_; as to which, it may be considered, What Influence it may have upon the _Plant_ it self; upon the _Soil_; Or upon the _Aer_. Whether that _Influence_ is any thing else besides Heat: or may differ from that of a _Fire_, otherwise, than by being Temperate, and more Equal. That it doth, seems evident from an _Experiment_ sometime since given us, in one of the _Parisian Journals des Scavans_, and which I therefore think very applicable to our present purpose. If you hold a _Concave_ at a due distance, against a Fire, it will collect and cast the Heat into a burning _Focus_: but if you put a piece of plain Glass between them, the Glass will scatter the Heat, and destroy the _Focus_. Whereas the _Sun-Beams_, being gathered in like manner, will pass through the interposed Glass, and maintain their _Focus_. As for That, of the Collection of the _Sun-beams_, by the help of _Glasses_, in the form of a _Magistery_, or of _Flowers_, and such like, I desire to suspend my thoughts of them, till I see them. I will only say thus much further at present, That I do not understand why the _Sun_ should not have some Influence upon Bodies, besides by Heat, if it may be granted, That the _Moon_ hath; for which, it should seem, there are some good Arguments.

62. §. WE HAVE thus far examined the _Principles_ necessary to _Vegetation_. ♦ A Sixth General _Mean_. Only hinted. ♦ The _Question_ may be put once more, In what manner are these _Principles_ so adapted, as to become capable of being assembled together, in such a _Number_, _Conjugation_, _Proportion_, and _Union_, as to make a _Vegetable Body_? For the comprehension whereof, we must also know, What are the _Principles_ of these _Principles_. Which, although they lie in so great an abyss of obscurity; yet, I think, I have some reason to believe, that they are not altogether undiscoverable. How far they may be so, I am so far from Determining, that I shall not now Conjecture.

♦ The Conclusion. ♦ 63. §. THIS is the _Design_, and these the _Means_ I propose in order thereunto. To which, I suppose, they may all appear to be necessary. For what we obtain of _Nature_, we must not do it by commanding, but by courting of Her. Those that woo Her, may possibly have her for their Wife; but She is not so common, as to prostitute her self to the best behaved _Wit_, which only practiseth upon it self, and is not applied to her. I mean, that where ever Men will go beyond Phansie and Imagination, depending upon the Conduct of _Divine Wisdom_, they must Labour, Hope and Persevere. And as the _Means_ propounded, are all necessary, so they may, in some measure, prove effectual. How far, I promise not; the Way is long and dark: and as Travellers sometimes amongst Mountains, by gaining the top of one, are so far from their Journeys end; that they only come to see another lies before them: so the Way of _Nature_, is so impervious, and, as I may say, down Hill and up Hill, that how far soever we go, yet the surmounting of one difficulty, is wont still to give us the prospect of another. We may therefore believe, our attainments will be imperfect, after we have done all: but because we cannot attain to all, that therefore we should endeavour after nothing; is an Inference, which looks so much awry from the Practical Sense of Men, that it ought not to be answered. Nor with better Reason, may we go about determining, what may be done. The greatest Designs that any Men undertake, are of the greatest uncertainty, as to their Success: which if they appear to be of good Import, though we know not how far they are attainable, we are to propound the _Means_, in the utmost use whereof only, we can be able to judge: A _War_ is not to be quitted, for the hazards which attend it; nor the _Councils_ of _Princes_ broken up, because those that sit at them, have not the Spirit of Prophecy, as well as of Wisdom. To conclude, If but little should be effected, yet to design more, can do us no harm: For although a Man shall never be able to hit _Stars_ by shooting at them; yet he shall come much nearer to them, than another that throws at _Apples_.

_Finis._

The

Anatomy

Of

Plants,

Begun.

With A

General Account

Of

Vegetation,

Grounded thereupon.

The FIRST BOOK.

Presented in Manuscript to the ROYAL SOCIETY, Sometime before the _11ᵗʰ._ of _May, 1671_.

And afterwards in Print, _December 7._ of the same Year _1671_.

By _NEHEMJAH GREW_ M.D. Fellow of the _Royal Society_, and of the _College_ of _Physicians_.

=The Second Edition.=

_LONDON_, Printed by _W. Rawlins_, 1682.

To The

Right Honourable

William

Lord Vi-Count Brouncker,

The

President,

And to the

Council and Fellows

Of The

Royal Society,

The following

Anatomy

Is most HUMBLY

Presented

By the AUTHOR

_Nehemjah Grew_.

[Illustration]

To The

Right Reverend

John

Lord Bishop of

Chester.

_My Lord_,

I Hope your pardon, if while you are holding _That best of Books_ in one Hand, I here present some Pages of that of _Nature_ into your other: Especially since _Your Lordship_ knoweth very well, how excellent a _Commentary_ This is on the _Former_; by which, in part, _GOD_ reads the World his own Definition, and their Duty to him.

But if this Address, _my Lord_, may be thought congruous, ’tis yet more just; and that I should let _Your Lordship_, and others know, how much, and how deservedly, I resent _Your_ extraordinary Favours. Particularly, that you were pleased, so far to animate my Endeavours, towards the Publishing the following _Observations_. Many whereof, and most belonging to the _First Chapter_, having now lain dormant, near seven years; and might still, perhaps, have so continued, had not _Your Lordships_ Eye, at length, created Light upon them. In doing which, _You_ have given one, amongst those many Tokens, of as well _Your_ readiness to promote Learning and Knowledge by the hands of others; as _Your_ high Abilities to do it by _Your_ Own: Both which, are so manifest in _Your Lordship_, that, like the first Principles of _Mathematical Science_, they are not so much to be asserted, because known and granted by all.

The Consideration whereof, _my Lord_, may make me not only _Just_, in owning of your Favours; but also most _Ambitious_ of your _Patronage_: Which yet, to bespeak, I must confess, I cannot well. Not that I think, what is Good and Valuable, is always its own best Advocate: for I know, that the Censures of Men, are humorous, and variable; and that one _Age_, must have leave to frown on those _Books_, which another, will do nothing less than kiss and embrace. But, chiefly, for this Reason, Lest I should so much as seem desirous, of _Your Lordships_ Solliciting my Cause, as to all I have said. For as it is your Glory, that you like not so to shine, as to put out the least Star; so were it to _Your_ Dishonour, to borrow _Your_ Name, to illustrate the Spots, though of the most conspicuous. I am,

_My Lord,

Your Lordships

Most Obliged,

And

Most Humble Servant_

Nehemjah Grew.

Coventry, _June 10. 1671_.

The

Contents.

Chap. I.

_Of the Seed in its State of Vegetation._

_THE Method propounded, §. 1. The_ Garden-Bean, _dissected, 2. The two_ Coats _Described, 3, 4. The_ Foramen _in the outer_ Coat, _5, 6. What generally observable of the Covers of the_ Seed, _7. The Organical_ Parts _of the_ Seed, _8. The Main Body, 9, 10. The_ Radicle _in the_ Bean, _11. In other_ Seeds, _12. The_ Plume, _13, 14. The Similary_ Parts, _15. The_ Cuticle, _16, 17. The_ Parenchyma, _18, 19, 20. The_ Inner Body, _21, to 29. No solid Account yet given, of_ Vegetation, _30. The_ Coats _how in common subservient to the_ Vegetation _of the_ Seed, _31. The_ Foramen, _of what use herein, 32. The use of the_ Inner Coat, _33. Of the_ Cuticle, _34. Of the_ Parenchyma, _35. Of the_ Seminal Root, _36. How the_ Radicle _first becomes a_ Root, _37. By what means, the_ Plume _all this while preserved, 38. How after the_ Root _the_ Plume _vegetates, 39. How the_ Lobes, _40. But not in all_ Seeds, _41. That they do in most, demonstrated, 42, 43, 44. What hence resolvable, 45. The use of the_ Dissimilar Leaves, _46, to the end._

Chap. II.

_Of the Root._

_THis also to be Dissected, §. 1. The_ Skin _hereof, its Original, 2. The_ Cortical Body, _its Original, 3._ Texture, _4._ Pores, _5._ Proportions, _6. The_ Lignous Body, _its Original, 7. Texture, 8. Proportions, 9. The_ Insertment, _its Original, 10. Pores, 11. Number and Size, 12. A fuller description hereof, with that of the Osculations of the_ Lignous Body, _13, 14, 15. The_ Pith, _its original sometimes from the_ Seed, _16. Sometimes from the_ Barque, _17. Its_ Pores, _18, 19. Proportions, 20._ Fibres _of the_ Lignous Body _therein, 21. The_ Pith _of those_ Fibres, _22. How the_ Root _grows, and the use of the_ Skin, Cortical _and_ Lignous Body _thereto, 23. How it groweth in length, 24. By what means it descends, 25. How it grows in breadth, 26. And the_ Pith, _how thus framed, 27. The use of the_ Pith, _27. Of the_ Insertment, 28. _The joynt service of all the Parts, 29, 30, 31._

Chap. III.

_Of the Trunk._

_THE_ Coarcture, _§. 1. The_ Skin, _its original, 2. The original of the_ Cortical Body, _3. Of the_ Lignous, _4. Of the_ Insertment _and_ Pith, _5. The Latitudinal Shooting of the_ Lignous Body, _wherein observable, 6, 7. The_ Pores _of the_ Lignous Body, _where and how most remarkable, 8. A lesser sort of_ Pores, _9. A third sort only visible through a_ Microscope. _Observed in Wood or Charcoal, 10. Observed in the Fibres of the Trunks of_ Herbs, _11. The_ Insertions, _where more visible, 12, 13. Their Weftage with the_ Lignous Body, _14. The smaller_ Insertions, _only visible through a_ Microscope, _15. No_ Valves _in a_ Plant, _16. The Ranks of the_ Pores _of the_ Insertions, _17. The_ Pores _of the_ Pith, _18, 19, 20. How the_ Trunk _ascends, 21. The disposition of its_ Parts _consequent to that Ascent, 22. Consequent to the different Nature of the_ Sap, _23. The effects of the said Differences, 24, to 28. Which way, and how the_ Sap _ascends, 29, to the end._

_The Appendix._

_Of Trunk-Roots and Claspers._

Trunk-Roots _of two kinds, §. 1, 2._ Claspers _of one kind, 3. The Uses of both, 4, to the end._

Chap. IV.

_Of the Bud, Branch, and Leaf._

_THE Parts of the_ Germen _and_ Branch _the same with those of the_ Trunk, _§. 1, 2. The manner of their growth, 3. How nourished, 4. And the use of Knots, 5. How secur’d, 6. The Parts of a Leaf, 7. The Positions of the_ Fibres _of the Stalks of Leaves, 8. For what Uses, 9, 10. The visible cause of the different circumference of Leaves, 11. And of their being flat, 12. And filamentous, 13. The Foulds of Leaves, their Kinds and Use, 14, 15, 16. The Protections of Leaves, 17. The use of the Leaf, 18, to the end._

_The Appendix._

_Of Thorns, Hairs and Globulets._

Thorns _of two Kinds; the_ Lignous, _§. 1. The_ Cortical, _2. An argument of the_ Magnetick Descent _of the_ Cortical Body, _3._ Hairs _of divers Kinds, 4, 5. Their Use, 6._ Globulets _of two Kinds, 7, 8._

Chap. V.

_Of the Flower._

_ITs three Parts, §. 1. The Impalement, of divers kinds, 2. Their use, 3, 4. The_ Foliation, _its nature, 5. Foulds, 6. Protections, 7. Downs, 8, 9. Globulets, 10. Its Use, 11, 12. The_ Attire _of two kinds. The Description of the first, 13, 14, 15, 16. Of the other, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21. Their use, 22, to the end._

Chap. VI.

_Of the Fruit._

_THE Vital Parts of all, the same, §. 1. The Number, Description, and Original of the Parts of an_ Apple, _2. Of a_ Pear, _3, 4. Of a_ Plum, _5, 6, 7. Of a_ Nut, _8. Of a_ Berry, _9. The use of the Fruit, 10, to the end._

Chap. VII.

_Of the Seed in its State of Generation._

_WHat here further observed, not in the First Chapter, §. 1. The_ Case, _its Figures, 2. The outer Coat, its Figures, 3. Various Surface, 4. And Mucilages, 5. The nature of the outer Coat, 6. Its Apertures, 7. Next to which the Radicle usually placed, 8. The Original of the Outer_ Coat, _9. The Original of the Inner, 10. Its Nature, 11, 12. The Essential Parts of a_ Plant, _13, 14. The_ Secondine, _15. The_ Colliquamentum _herein, 16. The_ Navel Fibres, _17. In the Generation of the_ Seed, _the_ Sap _first prepared in the_ Seed-Branch, _18, 19. Next in the inner_ Coat, _20. With the help of the Outer, 21, 22. The use of the_ Secondine, _23. Of the Ramulets of the_ Seed-Branch, _24. Of their_ Inosculation, _25. How the_ Colliquamentum _becometh a_ Parenchyma, _26, to the end._

[Illustration]

The

Anatomy

Of

Plants,

Begun.

With a General Account of _Vegetation_, Founded thereupon.

Chap. I.

_Of the Seed in its State of Vegetation._

BEING to speak of _Plants_; and, as far as Inspection, and consequent Reason, may conduct, to enquire into the visible _Constitutions_, and _Uses_ of their several _Parts_: I choose that Method, which, to the best advantage, may suit with what we have to say hereon. And that is the Method of Nature her self, in her continued Series of _Vegetations_; proceeding from the _Seed sown_, to the formation of the _Root_, _Trunk_, _Branch_, _Leaf_, _Flower_, _Fruit_, and last of all, of the _Seed_ also to be _sown again_; all which, we shall, in the same order, particularly speak of.

2. §. The _Essential Constitutions_ of the said _Parts_ are in all _Plants_ the same: But for Observation, some are more convenient; in which I shall chiefly instance. And first of all, for the _Seed_, we choose the great _Garden-Bean_.

3. §. If then we take a _Bean_ and dissect it, we shall find it cloathed with a doubled _Vest_ or _Coat_. These _Coats_, while the _Bean_ is yet green, are separable, and easily distinguished. Or in an old one, after it hath lay’n two or three days in a mellow Soil; or been soaked as long a time in Water: as in _Tab. 1_. ♦ _Tab. 1. f. 2._ ♦ When ’tis dry, they cleave so closely together, that the Eye not before instructed, will judge them but one; the inner _Coat_ (which is of the most rare contexture) so far shrinking up, as to seem only the roughness of the outer, somewhat resembling _Wafers_ under _Maquaroons_.

4. §. The Inner _Coat_, in its Natural State, is every where twice, and in some places, thrice as thick, as the Outer. Next to the _Radicle_, which I shall presently describe, it is six or seven times thicker; and encompasses the _Radicle_ round about, as in the same _Figure_ appears. ♦ _Tab. 1. f. 2._ ♦

5. §. At the thicker end of the _Bean_, in the outer _Coat_, a very small _Foramen_ presents it self, even to the bare Eye. In Dissection ’tis found to terminate against the point of that _Part_ which I call the _Radicle_. ♦ _Tab. 1. f. 1–2._ ♦ It is of that capacity, as to admit a small _Virginal_ Wyer; and is most of all conspicuous in a green _Bean_. Especially, if a little magnified with a good _Spectacle-Glass_. This _Foramen_ is not a hole casually made, or by the breaking off of the Stalk; but designedly formed, for the uses hereafter mentioned. It may be observed not only in the great _Garden-Bean_, but likewise in the other _kinds_; in the _French-Bean_ very plainly; in _Pease_, _Lupines_, _Vetches_, _Lentiles_, and other _Pulse_ ’tis also found; and in many _Seeds_ not reckoned of this kindred, as in that of _Fœnugreek_, _Medica Tornata_, _Goats-Rue_, and others: In many of which, ’tis so very small, as scarcely, without the help of _Glasses_ to be discovered; and in some, not without cutting off part of the _Seed_, which otherwise would intercept the light hereof.

6. §. That this _Foramen_ is truly permeable, even in old _Setting-Beans_, and the other _Seeds_ above named, appears upon their being soaked for some time in Water. For then, taking them out, and crushing them a little, many small bubles will alternately arise and break upon it.

7. §. Of all _Seeds_ which have thick or hard _Covers_, it is also observable, That they have the same likewise _Perforated_, as above said, or in some other manner. And accordingly, although the _Coats_ of such _Seeds_ as are lodg’d in _Shells_ or _Stones_, being thin, are not visibly _perforated_; yet the _Stones_ and _Shells_ themselves always are; as in _Chap. 7._ shall be seen how. To which _Chapter_, what is farther observable, either as to the nature and number of the _Covers_ of the _Seed_, I also refer.

8. §. The _Coats_ of the _Bean_ being stripp’d off, the proper _Seed_ shews it self; The parts whereof it is composed, are three; _sc._ the _Main Body_, and two more, appendant to it; which we may call the Three _Organical Parts_ of the _Bean_.

9. §. The _Main Body_ is not one entire piece, but always divided, lengthwise, into two halves or _Lobes_, which are both joyn’d together at the _Basis_ of the _Bean_. These _Lobes_ in dry _Beans_, are but difficultly separated or observ’d; ♦ _Tab. 1. f. 2, 3._ ♦ but in young ones, especially boil’d, they easily slip asunder.

10. §. Some very few _Seeds_ are divided, not into two _Lobes_, but into more; as that of _Cresses_ into Six. ♦ _Tab. 1. f. 4. f. 5._ ♦ And some are not at all divided, but entire; as the Grains of _Corn_. Excepting which few, all other _Seeds_, even the smallest, are divided, like as the _Bean_, into just two _Lobes_. Whereof, though in most _Seeds_, because of their minuteness, we cannot by dissection be inform’d; yet otherwise, we easily may, as in this _Chapter_ shall be seen.

11. §. At the _Basis_ of the _Bean_, the two other _Organical Parts_ stand appendent; by mediation whereof, the two _Lobes_ meet and join together. The greater of these two _Parts_ stands without the two _Lobes_, and upon divesting the _Bean_ of its _Coats_, is immediately visible. ♦ _Tab. 1. f. 2. & 3_ a ♦ ’Tis of a white colour, and more glossie than the _Main Body_, especially when the _Bean_ is young. In the _Bean_, and many other _Seeds_, ’tis situated somewhat above the thicker end, as you hold the _Bean_ in its most proper posture for growth. In _Oak-Kernels_, which we call _Acorns_, _Apple-Kernels_, _Almonds_, and many other _Seeds_, it stands prominent just from the end; ♦ _Tab. 1. f. 6_ c. ♦ the _Basis_ and the _End_ being in these the same, but in the _Bean_ divers.

12 §. This _Part_ is found not only in the _Bean_, and the _Seeds_ above mentioned; but in all others: being that, which upon the Vegetation of the _Seed_, becomes the _Root_ of the _Plant_; which therefore may be called the _Radicle_: by which, I mean the Materials, abating the Formality, of a _Root_. In _Corn_, it is that _Part_, which _Malsters_, upon its shooting forth, call the _Come_. ’Tis not easie to be observed, saving in some few _Seeds_, amongst which, that of the _Bean_ is the most fair and ample of all I have seen. But that of some other _Seeds_, is, in proportion, greater; ♦ _Tab. 1. f. 7_ e. ♦ as of _Fœnugreek_, which is full as big as one of its _Lobes_.

13. §. The lesser of the two said Appendents lies occult between the two _Lobes_ of the _Bean_, by separation whereof only it is to be seen. ’Tis enclos’d in two small _Cavities_, form’d in the _Lobes_ for its reception. ♦ _Tab. 1. f. 3_ b. ♦ Its colour comes near to that of the _Radicle_; and it is founded upon the _Basis_ thereof, having a quite contrary production, _sc._ towards the _Cone_ of the _Bean_; as being that very _Part_, which, in process, becomes the _Body_ or _Trunk_, of the _Plant_. In _Corn_, it is that _Part_, which after the _Radicle_ is sprouted forth, or _come_, shoots towards the smaller end of the _Grain_; and by many _Malsters_, is called the _Acrospire_.

14. §. This _Part_ is not, like the _Radicle_, an entire Body, but divided, at its loose end, into divers pieces, all very closely couched together, as Feathers in a Bunch; for which reason it may be called the _Plume_. They are so close, that only two or three of the outmost are at first seen: but upon a nice and curious separation of these, the more interiour still may be discovered. In the _Bean_, this may be done: but in very few other _Seeds_; because of the extreme smallness of the _Plume_. Now as the _Plume_ is that _Part_ which becomes the _Trunk_ of the _Plant_, so these pieces are so many true, and already formed, though not display’d _Leaves_, intended for the said _Trunk_, and foulded up in the same _plicature_, wherein upon the sprouting of the _Bean_, they afterwards appear. In a _French Bean_, and especially in the larger white Kind, or in the great _Indian Phaseolus_, the two outmost are very fair and elegant. ♦ _Tab. 1. f. 8_ b. ♦ In the great _Garden-Bean_ two extraordinary small _Plumes_ often, if not always, stand one on either side the great one now describ’d: From which, in that they differ in nothing save in their size, I therefore only here just take notice of them. And these three Parts, _sc._ the _Main Body_, the _Radicle_, and the _Plume_, are concurrent to the making up of a _Seed_; and no more than these.

15. §. Having thus taken a view of the _Organical Parts_ of the _Bean_, and other _Seeds_; let us next examine the _Similary_, _sc._ those whereof the _Organical_ are compos’d: a distinct observation of which, for a clear understanding of the _Vegetation_ of the _Seed_, and of the whole _Plant_ arising thence is requisite: To obtain which, we must proceed in our _Anatomy_.

16. §. Dissecting a _Bean_ then, the first _Part_ occurring is its _Cuticle_. The Eye and first Thoughts, suggest it to be only a more dense and glossy Superficies; but better enquiry discovers it a real _Cuticle_. ’Tis so exquisitely thin, and for the most part, so firmly continuous with the Body of the _Bean_, that it cannot, except in some small Rag, be distinctly seen, which, by carrying your Knife aslant into the _Bean_, and then very gently bearing upward what you have cut, will separate, and shew it self transparent. This _Cuticle_ is not only spread upon the _Convex_ of the _Lobes_, but also on their _Flats_, where they are contiguous, extending it self likewise upon both the _Radicle_ and _Plume_, and so over the whole _Bean_.

17. §. This _Part_, though it be so far common with the _Coats_ of the _Bean_, as to be like those, an _Integument_; yet are we in a quite different Notion to conceive of it: For whereas the _Coats_, upon setting the _Bean_, do only administer the _Sap_, and, as being superseded from their Office, then die; as shall be seen: this, on the contrary, with the _Organical Parts_ of the _Bean_, is nourished, augmented, and by a real _Vegetation_ co-extended.

18. §. Next to the _Cuticle_, we come to the _Parenchyma_ it self; the _Part_ throughout which _the Inner Body_, whereof we shall speak anon, is disseminated; for which reason I call it the _Parenchyma_. Not that we are so meanly to conceive of it, as if (according to the stricter sense of that word,) it were a meer concreted Juyce. For it is a Body very curiously _organiz’d_, consisting of an infinite number of extreme small _Bladders_; as in _Tab. 1._ is apparent. ♦ _Tab. 1. f. 9._ ♦ The _Surface_ hereof is somewhat dense, but inwardly, ’tis of a laxer Contexture. If you view it in a _Microscope_, or with a very good _Spectacle-Glass_, it hath some similitude to the _Pith_, while _sappy_ in the _Roots_ and _Trunks_ of _Plants_; and that for good reason, as in _Ch. 2._ shall be seen. This is best seen in green _Beans_.

19. §. This _Part_ would seem by its colour to be peculiar to the _Lobes_ of the _Bean_; but as is the _Cuticle_, so is this also, common both to the _Radicle_ and _Plume_; that is, the _Parenchyma_ or Pulp of the _Bean_, as to its essential substance, is the same in all three. The reason why the colour of the _Plume_, and especially of the _Radicle_, which are white, is so different from that of the _Lobes_, which are green, may chiefly depend upon their being more compact and dense, and thence their different Tinctures. And therefore the _Lobes_ themselves, which are green while the _Bean_ is _young_; yet when it is _old_ and _dry_, become whitish too. And in _many_ other _Seeds_, as _Acorns_, _Almonds_, the _Kernels_ of _Apples_, _Plums_, _Nuts_, _&c._ the _Lobes_, even _fresh_ and _young_, are pure white as the _Radicle_ it self.

20. §. But although the _Parenchyma_ be common, as is said, to all the _Organical Parts_; yet in very differing proportions. In the _Plume_, where it is proportionably least, it maketh about three _Fifths_ of the whole _Plume_; in the _Radicle_, it maketh above five Sevenths of the whole _Radicle_; and in each _Lobe_, is so far over-proportionate, as to make at least nine Tenths of the whole _Lobe_.

21. §. By what hath been said, that the _Parenchyma_ or _Pulp_ is not the only constituting _Part_, besides the _Cuticle_, is imply’d: there being another _Body_, of an essentially different substance, embosom’d herein: which may be found not only in the _Radicle_ and _Plume_, but also in the _Lobes_ themselves, and so in the whole _Bean_.

22. §. This _Inner Body_ appears very plain and conspicuous in cutting the _Radicle_ athwart, and so proceeding by degrees towards the _Plume_, through both which it runneth in a large and strait _Trunk_. ♦ _Tab. 1. f. 10, 11, & 12._ ♦ In the _Lobes_, being it is there in so very small proportion, ’tis difficultly seen, especially towards their _Verges_. Yet if with a sharp Knife you smoothly cut the _Lobes_ of the _Bean_ athwart, divers small _Specks_, ♦ _Tab. 1. f. 13._ ♦ of a different colour from that of the _Parenchyma_, standing therein all along in a Line, may be observ’d; which _Specks_ are the Terminations of the _Branches_ of this _Inner Body_.

23. §. For this _Inner body_, as it is existent in every _Organical Part_ of the _Bean_; so is it, with respect to each _Part_, most regularly distributed. In a good part of the _Radicle_ ’tis one entire _Trunk_; towards the _Basis_ thereof, ’tis divided into three main _Branches_; ♦ _Tab. 1. f. 14._ ♦ the middlemost runneth directly into the _Plume_; the other two on either side of it, after a little space, pass into the _Lobes_; where the said _Branches_ dividing themselves into other smaller; and those into more, and smaller again, are terminated towards the Verges of each _Lobe_; in which manner the said _Inner Body_ being distributed it becomes in each _Lobe_ a true and perfect _Root_.

24. §. Of this _Seminal Root_, as now we’ll call it, from the Description here given, it is further observable; That the two main _Branches_ hereof; in which the several _Ramifications_ in each _Lobe_ are all united, are not committed into the _Seminal Trunk_ of the _Plume_, nor yet stand at right angles with _That_ and the _Radicle_, and so with equal respect towards them both: but being produced through part of the _Parenchyma_ of the _Radicle_, are at last united therein to the main _Trunk_, and make acute Angles therewith: as may be seen in the same. _f. 14._ ♦ _Tab. 1. f. 14._ ♦

25. §. This _Seminal Root_ being so tender, cannot be perfectly excarnated, (as may the _Vessels_ in the _Parts_ of an _Animal_) by the most accurate Hand. Yet by dissection begun and continu’d, as is above declared, its whole frame and distribution may be easily observ’d. Again, if you take the _Lobe_ of a _Bean_, and lengthwise pare off its _Parenchyma_ by degrees, and in extreme thin slices, many _Branches_ of the _Seminal Root_, (which by the other way of Dissection were only noted by so many _Specks_) both as they are fewer about the Basis of the _Bean_, and more numerous towards its Verges, in some good distinction and entireness will appear. For this you must have new _Beans_: or else soaked in Water, or buryed for some time.

26. §. As the _Inner Body_ is branched out in the _Lobes_, so is it in the _Plume_: For if you cut the _Plume_ athwart, and from the _Basis_ proceed along the Body thereof, you’ll therein find, first, one large _Trunk_ or _Branch_, and after four or five very small _Specks_ round about it, which are the terminations of so many lesser _Branches_ therewith distributed to the several parts of the _Plume_. ♦ _Tab. 1. f. 11_ c. ♦ The distribution of the _Inner Body_, as it is continuous throughout all the _Organical Parts_ of the _Bean_, is represented, _Tab. 1. f. 14._

27. §. This _Inner Body_ is, by dissection, best observable in the _Bean_ and great _Lupine_. In other larger _Pulse_ it shews likewise some obscure Marks of it self. But in no other _Seeds_, which I have observed, though of the greatest size: as of _Apples_, _Plums_, _Nuts_, &c. is there any clear appearance hereof, upon dissection, saving in the _Radicle_ and _Plume_; the reason of which is partly from its being, in most _Seeds_, so extraordinary little; partly from its Colour, which in most _Seeds_, is the same with that of the _Parenchyma_ it self, and so not distinguishable from it.

28. §. Yet in a _Gourd-Seed_, the whole _Seminal Root_, not only its _Main Branches_, ♦ _Tab. 1. f. 15._ c. ♦ but also the Sub-divisions and _Inosculations_ of the lesser ones, are without any dissection, upon the separation of the _Lobes_, on their contiguous Flats immediately apparent.

And as to the existence of this _Seminal Root_, what Dissection cannot attain, yet an ocular inspection in hundreds of other _Seeds_, even the smallest, will demonstrate; as in this _Chapter_ shall be seen how.

29. §. In the mean time, let us only take notice; That when we say, every _Plant_ hath its _Root_, we reckon short. For every _Plant_ hath really two, though not contemporary, yet successive _Roots_; its _Original_ or _Seminal-Root_ within the _Lobes_ or _Main Body_ of its _Seed_; and its _Plant-Root_, which the _Radicle_ becometh in its growth: the _Parenchyma_ of the _Seed_, being in some resemblance, that to the _Seminal Root_ at first, which the Mould is to the _Plant-Root_ afterwards; and the _Seminal Root_ being that to the _Plant-Root_, which the _Plant-Root_ is to the _Trunk_. For our better understanding whereof, having taken a view of the several _Parts_ of a _Bean_, as far as Dissection conducts; we will next briefly enquire into the Use of the said _Parts_, and in what manner they are the Fountain of _Vegetation_, and concurrent to the being of the future _Plant_.

♦ An Account of the _Vegetation_ of the _Seed_. ♦ 30. §. THE GENERAL Cause of the growth of a _Bean_, or other _Seed_, is _Fermentation_. That is, the _Bean_ lying in the Mould, and a moderate access of some moisture, partly dissimilar, and partly congenerous, being made, a gentle _Fermentation_ thence ariseth. By which, the _Bean_ swelling, and the _Sap_ still encreasing, and the _Bean_ continuing still to swell, the work thus proceeds: as is the usual way of explicating. But that there is simply a _Fermentation_, and so a sufficient supply of _Sap_ is not enough: but that this _Fermentation_, and the _Sap_ wherein ’tis made, should be under a various Government, by divers _Parts_ thereto subservient, is also requisite; and as the various preparation of the _Aliment_ in an _Animal_, equally necessary: the particular process of the Work according whereto, we find none undertaking to declare.

31. §. Let us look upon a _Bean_ then, as a piece of Work so fram’d and set together, as to declare a Design for the production of a _Plant_; which, upon its lying in some convenient Soil, is thus effected. First of all, the _Bean_ being enfoulded round in its _Coats_, the _Sap_ wherewith it is fed, must of necessity pass through these: By which means, it is not only in a proportionate quantity, and by degrees; but also in a purer body; and possibly not without some _Vegetable Tincture_, transmitted to the _Bean_. Whereas, were the _Bean_ naked, the _Sap_ must needs be, as over-copious, so but crude and immature, as not being _filtred_ through so fine a _Cotton_ as the _Coats_ be. And as they have the use of a _Filtre_ to the transient _Sap_; so of a _Vessel_ to that which is still deposited within them; being alike accommodated to the securer _Fermentation_ hereof, as Bottles or Barrels are to Beer, or any other _Fermentative Liquor_.

32. §. And as the _Fermentation_ is promoted by some _Aperture_ in the Vessel; so have we the _Foramen_ in the upper _Coat_ also contrived. That if there should be need of some more _Aiery_ Particles to excite the _Fermentation_; through _this_, they may obtain their Entry. Or, on the contrary, should there be any such _Particles_ or _Steams_, as might damp the genuine proceeding thereof, through this again, they may have easie issue. Or if, by being over copious, they should become too high a _Ferment_; and so precipitate those soft and slow degrees, as are necessary to a due _Vegetation_. The said _Aperture_ being that, as a common Pasport, here to the _Sap_, which what we call the _Bung-hole_ of the Barrel, is to the new tunn’d Liquor.

33. §. And the _Radicle_ being designed to shoot forth first, as presently shall be shew’d how; therefore is it distinctly surrounded with the Inner and more succulent _Coat_. That being thereby suppled on every side, its eruption may be the better promoted.

34. §. The _Sap_ being passed through the _Coats_, it next enters the Body of the _Bean_; yet not indiscriminately neither; but, being filtred through the _Outer Coat_, and fermented in the Body of the _Inner_, is by mediation of the _Cuticle_, again more finely filtr’d, and so entereth the _Parenchyma_ it self under a fourth Government.

35. §. Through which _Part_ the _Sap_ passing towards the _Seminal Root_, as through that which is of a more spatious content; besides the benefit it hath of a farther _percolation_, it will also find room enough for a more free and active fermenting and _maturation_ herein. And being moreover, part of the true Body of the _Bean_, and so with its proper _Seminalities_ or _Tinctures_ copiously repleat; the _Sap_ will not only find _room_, but also _matter_ enough, by whose Energy its _Fermentation_ will still be more advanced.

36. §. And the _Sap_ being duly prepared here, it next passeth into all the _Branches_ of the _Seminal Root_, and so under a fifth Government. Wherein how delicate ’tis now become, we may conceive by the proportion betwixt the _Parenchyma_ and this _Seminal Root_; so much only of the best digested _Sap_ being discharged from the whole Stock in that, as this will receive. And this, moreover, as the _Parenchyma_, with its proper _Seminalities_ being endowed; the _Sap_ for the supply of the _Radicle_, and of the young _Root_ from thence, is duly prepared therein, and with its highest _Tincture_ and _Impregnation_ at last enriched.

37. §. The _Sap_ being thus prepared in the _Lobes_ of the _Bean_, ’tis thence discharg’d; and either into the _Plume_, or the _Radicle_, must forthwith issue. And since the _Plume_ is a dependent on the _Radicle_; the _Sap_ therefore ought first to be dispenced to this: which accordingly, is ever found to shoot forth before the _Plume_: and sometimes an inch or two in length. Now because the primitive course of the _Sap_ into the _Radicle_, is thus requisite; therefore, by the frame of the _Parts_ of the _Bean_ is it also made necessary. The two main _Branches_ of the _Seminal Root_, being produced, as is before observed, not into the _Plume_, but the _Radicle_. Now the _Sap_ being brought as far as the _Seminal Root_, in either _Lobe_; and according to the conduct thereof continuing still to move: it must needs immediately issue into the same _Part_, ♦ _Tab. 1. f. 14._ ♦ whereinto the main _Branches_ themselves do; that is, into the _Radicle_. By which _Sap_, thus bringing the several _Tinctures_ of the _Parts_ aforesaid with it, being now fed; it is no longer a meer _Radicle_, but is made also _Seminal_, and so becomes a perfect _Root_.

38. §. The _Plume_, all this while, lyes close and still. For the sake of which, chiefly it is, that the _Bean_ and other _Seeds_ are divided into _Lobes_, _viz._ That it might be warmly and safely lodged up between them, and so secur’d from the Injuries so tender a _Part_ would sustain from the Mould; whereto, had the _Main Body_ been entire, it must, upon the cleaving of the _Coats_, have lay’n contiguous.

39. §. But the _Radicle_ being thus impregnated and shot into a _Root_; ’tis now time for the _Plume_ to rouze out of its Cloysters, and germinate too: In order whereto, ’tis now fed from the _Root_, with laudable and sufficient _Aliment_. For as the Supplies and Motion of _Sap_ were first made from the _Lobes_, towards the _Root_: so the _Root_ being well shot into the Mould, and now receiving a new and more copious _Sap_ from thence; the motion hereof must needs be stronger, and by degrees proceed in a contrary course, _sc._ from the _Root_ toward the _Plume_: and, by the continuation of the _Seminal Root_, is directly conducted thereinto; by which being fed, it gradually enlarges and displays it self.

40. §. The course of the _Sap_ thus turned, it issues, I say, in a direct Line from the _Root_ into the _Plume_: but collaterally, into the _Lobes_ also; _sc._ by those two aforesaid _Branches_ which are obliquely transmitted from the _Radicle_ into either _Lobe_. By which _Branches_ the said _Sap_ being disbursed back into all the _Seminal Root_, and from thence, likewise into the _Parenchyma_ of the _Lobes_, they are both thus fed, and for some time augmenting themselves, really grow: as in _Lupines_ is evident.

41. §. Yet is not this common to all _Seeds_. Some rot underground; as _Corn_; being of a laxer and less Oleous Substance, differing herein from most other _Seeds_; and being not divided into _Lobes_, but one entire thick Body. And some, although they continue firm, and are divided into _Lobes_, yet rise not; as the great _Garden Bean_. In which, therefore, it is observable, That the two Main _Branches_ of the _Lobes_, in comparison with that which runs into the _Plume_, are but mean; ♦ _Tab. 1. f. 14._ ♦ and so insufficient to the feeding and vegetation of the _Lobes_; the _Plume_, on the contrary, growing so lusty, as to mount up without them.

42. §. Excepting a few of these Two Kinds, all other _Seeds_ whatsoever, (which I have observed) besides that they continue firm; upon the _Vegetation_ of the _Plume_, do mount also upwards, and advance above the Ground together with it; as all _Seeds_ which spring up with one or more _Dissimilar Leaves_: These _Dissimilar Leaves_, for the most part _Two_, which first spring up, and are of a different shape from those that follow, being the very _Lobes_ of the _Seed_, divided, expanded, and thus advanced.

43. §. The Impediments of our apprehension hereof are the Colour, Size and Shape of the _Dissimilar Leaves_. Notwithstanding, that they are nothing else but the _Main Body_ of the _Seed_, how I came first to conceive, and afterwards to know it, was thus. First, I observed in general, that the _Dissimilar Leaves_, were never jagg’d, but even edg’d: And seeing the even verges of the _Lobes_ of the _Seed_ hereto respondent, I was apt to think, that those which were so like, might prove the same. Next descending to particular _Seeds_, I observed, first, of the _Lupine_; that, as to its Colour, advancing above the Ground, (as it useth to do) it was always changed into a perfect Green. And why might not the same by parity of Reason be inferred of other _Seeds_? That, as to its size, it grew but little bigger than when first set. Whence, as I discern’d (the Augmentation being but little) we here had only the two _Lobes_: ♦ _Tab. 2. f. 1._ ♦ So, (as some augmentation there was) I inferr’d the like might be, and that, in farther degrees, in other _Seeds_.

44. §. Next of the _Cucumber-Seed_, That, as to its Colour, often appearing above ground, in its primitive white, from white it turns to yellow, and from yellow to green; the proper colour of a _Leaf_. That, as to its size, though at its first arise, the _Lobes_ were little bigger than upon setting; yet afterwards, as they chang’d their Colour, ♦ _Tab. 2. f. 2._ ♦ so their dimensions also, growing to a three-four-five-fold amplitude above their primitive size. But whereas the _Lobes_ of the _Seed_, are in proportion, narrow, short and thick: how then come the _Dissimilar Leaves_, to be so exceeding broad, or long, and thin? The Question answers it self: For the _Dissimilar Leaves_, for that very reason are so thin, because so very broad or long; as we see many things, how much they are extended in length or breadth, so much they lose in depth, or grow more thin; which is that which here befalls the now effoliated _Lobes_. For being once dis-imprisoned from their _Coats_, and the course of the _Sap_ into them, now more and more encreased; they must needs very considerably amplifie themselves: and from the manner wherein the _Seminal Root_ is branched in them, that amplification cannot be in thickness, but in length or breadth. In both which, in some _Dissimilar Leaves_, ’tis very remarkable; ♦ _Tab. 2. f. 3._ ♦ especially in length, as in those of _Lettice_, _Thorn-Apple_, and others; whose _Seeds_, although very small, yet the _Lobes_ of those _Seeds_ growing up into _Dissimilar Leaves_, are extended an Inch, and sometimes more, in length. Though he that shall attempt to get a clear sight of the _Lobes_ of _Thorn-Apple_, and some others, by _Dissection_, will find it no easie Task; yet is that which may be obtained; and in the Last _Book_ shall be shew’d. From all which, and the observation of other _Seeds_, I at last found, that the _Dissimilar Leaves_ of a young _Plant_, are nothing else but the _Lobes_ or _Main Body_ of its _Seed_. So that, as the _Lobes_ did at first feed and impregnate the _Radicle_ into a _perfect Root_; so the _Root_, being perfected, doth again feed, and by degrees amplifie each _Lobe_ into a perfect _Leaf_.

45. §. The Original of the _Dissimilar Leaves_ thus known, we understand, why some _Plants_ have none; because the _Seed_ either riseth not, as _Garden-Beans_, _Corn_, &c. Or upon rising, the _Lobes_ are little alter’d, as _Lupines_, _Pease_, &c. Why, though the proper _Leaves_ are often indented round; the _Dissimilar_ like the _Lobes_ are even-edg’d. Why, though the proper _Leaves_ are often hairy, yet these are ever smooth. Why some have more _Dissimilar Leaves_ than two, as _Cresses_, which have six, as the Ingenious Mr. _Sharrock_ also observes. ♦ Hist. of the _Prop._ of _Vege._ ♦ The reason whereof is, because the _Main Body_ is not divided into Two, but Six, distinct _Lobes_, as I have often counted. Why _Radishes_ seem at first to have four, which yet after appear plainly two: because the _Lobes_ of the _Seed_, have both a little Indenture, and are both plaited, one over the other. To which, other Instances might be added.

46. The use of the _Dissimilar Leaves_ is, first, for the protection of the _Plume_; which being but young, and so but soft and tender, is provided with these, as a double Guard, one on either side of it. For this reason it is, that the _Plume_, in _Corn_, is trussed up within a membranous _Sheath_: and that of a _Bean_, cooped up betwixt a pair of _Surfoyls_: ♦ _Tab. 3._ ♦ But where the _Lobes_ rise, there the _Plume_ hath neither of them, being both needless.

47. §. Again, since the _Plume_, being yet tender, may be injur’d not only by the _Aer_, but also for want of _Sap_, the supplies from the _Root_ being yet but slow and sparing; that the said _Plume_ therefore, by the _Dissimilar Leaves_, may have the advantage likewise of some refreshment from Dew or Rain. For these having their _Basis_ a little beneath that of the _Plume_, and expanding themselves on all sides of it, they often stand after Rain, like a Vessel of Water, continually soaking and suppling it, lest its new access into the _Ayr_, should shrivel it.

48. §. Moreover, that since the _Dissimilar Leaves_ by their _Basis_ intercept the _Root_ and _Plume_, the greater and grosser part of the _Sap_, may be, by the way, deposited into those; and so the purest proceed into the yet but young and delicate _Plume_, as its fittest _Aliment_.

49. §. Lastly, we have here a demonstration of the being of the _Seminal Root_: which, since through the colour or smalness of the _Seed_, it could not by Dissection be observ’d, except in some few; Nature hath here provided us a way of viewing it in the now effoliated _Lobes_, not of one or two _Seeds_, but of hundreds; the _Seminal Root_ visibly branching it self towards the Cone or Verges of the said _Lobes_, or now _Dissimilar Leaves_.

Chap. II.

_Of the ROOT._

HAVING Examin’d and pursu’d the Degrees of _Vegetation_ in the _Seed_, we find its two _Lobes_ have here their utmost period: and