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 ...

An Account of the VEGETATION OF ROOTS Grounded chiefly upon the foregoing ANATOMY. PART II.

TO Philosophize, is, To render the Causes and Ends of Things. No man, therefore, that denieth God can do this, Truly. For the taking away of the first Cause, maketh all things Contingent. Now, of that which is Contingent, although there may be an Event; yet there can be no Reason or End: so that Men should then study, That, which is not. So the Causes of Things, if they are Con∣tingent, they cannot be Constant. For that which is the Cause of This, now; if it be so Contingently, it may not be the Cause hereafter: and no Physical Proposition, grounded upon the Constancy and Certainty of Things, could have any foundation. He, therefore, that philosophiseth, and denieth God, playeth a childish Game.

2. §. Wherefore Nature, and the Causes and Reasons of Things, duly contemplated, naturally lead us unto God; and is one way of securing our Veneration of Him: giving us, not only a general Demon∣stration of his Being; but a particular one, of most of the several Qua∣lifications thereof. For all Goodness, Righteousness, Proportion, Order, Truth, or whatever else is Excellent and Amiable in the Creatures; it is the Demonstration of the like in God. For it is impossible, that God

should ever make any thing, not like Himself, in some degree or other. These Things, and the very Notions which we have of them, are Con∣ceptions issuing from the Womb of the Divine Nature.

3. §. By the same means, we have a greater assurance of the Excel∣lency of his Sacred Word. That He, who hath Done all things so trans∣cendently well; must needs Speak as well, as he hath Done. That He, who in so admirable a manner, hath made Man; cannot but know best, What his true Principles and Faculties are; and what Actions are most agreeable thereunto: and, that having adorned him with such Beaute∣ous and Lovely ones; it is impossible, He should ever put him upon the Exercise of those Faculties, in any way Deformed and Unlovely. That He should do all things, so well Himself; and yet require his Creatures, to do otherwise, is unconceivable.

4. §. And as we may come, hereby, to rectifie our Apprehension of His Laws; so also, of His Misteries. For there are many Things, of the Manner of whose Existence, we have no certain Knowledge. Yet, of their Existence, we are as sure, as our Senses can make us. But, we may as well deny, what God hath Made, To be; as, what he hath Spoken, To be true, because we understand not how. And the knowledge of Things being gradually attained, we have occasion to reflect, That some Things, we can now well conceive, which we once thought unintelli∣gible. I know, therefore, what I understand not; but, I know not, what is unintelligible: what I know not now, I may hereafter; or if not I, another; or if no Man, or other Creature, it is sufficient, That God fully understandeth Himself. It is not, therefore, the Knowledge of Nature, but they are the wanton phansies of Mens minds, that dispose them, either to Forget God, or to Think unduly of Him.

5. §. Nor have we reason to fear going too far, in the Study of Na∣ture; more, than the entring into it: Because, the higher we rise in the true Knowledge and due Contemplation of This; the nearer we come to the Divine Author hereof. Or to think, that there is any Contradiction, when Philosophy teaches that to be done by Nature; which Religion, and the Sacred Scriptures, teach us to be done by God: no more, than to say, That the Ballance of a Watch is moved by the next Wheel; is to deny that Wheel, and the rest, to be moved by the Spring; and that both the Spring, and all the other Parts, are caused to move together by the Maker of them. So God may be truly the Cause of This Effect, although a Thousand other Causes should be supposed to intervene: For all Nature is as one Great Engine, made by, and held in His Hand. And as it is the Watch-makers Art, that the Hand moves regularly, fromhour to hour, although he put not his Finger still to it: So is it the Demonstration of Divine Wisdome, that the Parts of Nature are so harmoniously contrived and set together; as to conspire to all kind of Natural Motions and Effects, without the Extraordi∣nary and Immediate Influence of the Author of it.

6. §. Therefore, as the Original Being of all Things, is the most proper Demonstration of Gods Power: So the successive Generations, and Operations of Things are the most proper Demonstration of his Wisdom. For if we should suppose, that God did now make, or do any 〈◊〉〈◊〉, by any Thing; then, no Effect would be produced by a Natural Cause: and consequently, He would still be upon the Work of Creation: which yet Sacred Scripture assureth us, He resteth from. And we might exspect

the Formation of a Child, in an Egg, as well as in a Womb; or of a Chick∣en, out of a Stone, as an Egg: And all Sorts of Animals, as well as Plants, might propagate their Species, without Coition: and the like. For Infinite Power, needeth not make any difference in the Things it undertakes to manage. But in that, these Things are not only made, but so made, that is, according to such certain Natural Laws, as to produce their Natural Effects; here is the Sensible and Il∣lustrious Evidence of his Wisdom. Wherefore as the Wisdom of Govern∣ment, is not seen, by the King his interposing Himself in every Case; but in the contrivance of the Laws, and Constitution of Ministers in such sort, that it shall be as effectually determin'd, as if he did so indeed: So the more complicated and vastly Numerous, we allow the Natural Causes of Things to be; the more duely we conceive of that Wisdom, which thus disposeth of them all, to their several Effects: All Things being thus, as Ministers in the Hands of God, conspiring together a Thousand Ways, towards a Thousand Effects and Ends, at one time; and that with the same certainty, as if he did prepose to each, the same Omnipotent Fiat, which he used at the Creation of the World.

7. §. THIS Universal Monarchy, as it is eminently Visible in all other Particular Oeconomies; so is it, no less, in that of Vegetables. Infinite Occurrences, and secret Intrigues, 'tis made up of; which we cannot skill, but by the help of manifold Means; and those, in the foregoing Idea, have been lately proposed. Wherein, although some Experiments have been briefly touch'd: yet that which I have hitherto chiefly prosecuted, hath been the Anatomical Part; and that not throughly neither. Notwithstanding, so far as Observations already made will conduct us, I shall endeavour to go. And if, for the better clearing of the way, I have intermixed some Conjectures: I think they are not meerly such, but for which I have layd down some Grounds, and of which, the Series also of the following Discourse, may be some further proof.

8. §. LET US say then, that the Root of a Plant being lodged in some Soil, for its more convenient growth; 'tis necessary the Soil should be duly prepared for it. The Rain, therefore, falling and soak∣ing into the Soyl, somewhat diluteth the Dissoluble Principles there∣in contained; and renders them more easily communicable to the Root: Being as a Menstruum, which extracteth those Principles, from the other greater and useless part of the Soil.

9. §. And the warm Sun, joyned with the diluting Rain, by both, as it were a Digestion of the Soil, or a gentile Fermentation amongst its several Parts, will follow: whereby the Dissoluble Parts therein, will rot and mellow: that is, those Principles which as yet remained more ••ixed, will now be further resolved and unlocked, and more copiously and equally spread themselves through the Body of the Soil.

10. §. These Principles, being with the growth of Plants continu∣ally exhausted, and needing a repair; the successions, therefore, of Wet, Wind, and other Weather, beat down and rot the Leaves and other Parts of Plants. Whereby these (as Weeds which are wont to be buried under ground) become a natural M••nure, and Re-impreg∣nate

the Soil: Being thus, in part, out of their own Resolved Prin∣ciples, annually Compounded again.

11. §. Many of these Principles, upon their Resolution, being by the Sun more attenuated and volatilized; continually ascend into the Aer, and are mixed therewith. Where, although they lose not their Vegatable Nature, yet being amongst other purer Principles; them∣selves also, depositing their Earthy feculencies, become more subtile, simple and Essential Bodies.

12. §. And the Aer being of an Elastick or Springy Nature, pres∣sing, more or less, upon all Bodies; it thereby forceth and insinuateth it self into the Soil, through all its permeable Pores. Upon its own entrance, it carries also many of the said Vegetable and Essential Princi∣ples along with it; which, together with the rest, are spread all over the Body of the Soil. By which means, though a less Vehement, yet more Subtil Fermentation, and with the least advantage of warmth, continuable, will be effected.

13. §. The Principles being thus farther resolved and subtilized, would presently exhale away, if the Rain, again, did not prevent. Which, therefore, falling upon and soaking through the Ground, is as a fresh Menstruum, saturate or impregnate with many of them. And as it still sinketh lower, it carries them along with it self, from the Su∣perficial, to the Deeper parts of the Ground: thus, not only maturing those parts also, which, otherwise, would be more lean and cold; but therein likewise, laying up and securing a Store, more gradually and thriftily to be bestowed upon the Upper parts again, as they need.

14. §. And Autumn having laid up the Store, Winter following thereupon, doth, as it were, lock the doors upon it. In which time, some warmer Intervals, serve further and gradually to mature the stored Principles, without hazard of their being Exhaled. And the Spring returning, sets the doors open again, with warmer and more con∣stant Sun, with gentle and frequent Rain, fully resolves the said Prin∣ciples; and so furnisheth a plentiful Diet, for all kinds of Vegetables: being a Composition of Water chiefly, wherein are resolved, some por∣tions of Earth, Salt, Acid, Oyl, Spirit, and Aer; or other Bodies of Affinity herewith.

15. §. THE ROOT standing in the Ground thus prepared, and be∣ing always surrounded with a Barque, which consisteth chiefly of a Parenchymous and Spongy Body;a it will thus, as Sponges do, natu∣rally suck up the watry parts of the Soil impregnate with the said Principles. Which Principles notwithstanding, being in proportion with the watry parts, but few, and also more Essential;b therefore in this Parenchymous Part, are they never much discovered, either by Colour, Taste, or Smell. As it is probable, that some distilled Waters, which discover nothing, to Sense, of the Plants from which they are distilled, may yet, in part, retain their Faculties. And it is known, that many Bodies; as Crocus Metallorum, convey many of their parts into the Menstruum, without any sensible alteration thereof. So Frost and Snow have neither Taste nor Smell; yet from their Figures, 'tis evident, that there are divers kinds of Saline Principles incorporated with them; or at least, such Principles as are common to them and divers kinds of Salts.

16. §. The entrance of this Impregnate Water of Sap is not with∣out difference, but by the Regulation of the intervening Skin; being thereby strained and rendred more pure: the Skin, according to the thicknessa or closeness thereof, becoming sometimes only as a brown paper, sometimes as a Cotton, and sometimes as a Bag of Leather to the transient Sap, as the nature of it doth require. By which it is al∣so moderated, lest the Barque, being spongy, should suck it up too fast, and so the Root should be, as it were, surcharged by a Plethora. And divers of the Succiferous Vessels being mixed herewithb and lying next the Soil, usually more or less mortified, and so their Principles somewhat resolved; the Sap is hereby better specified, and further tinctured; such parts of the Sap best entring, as are most agreeable to those Principles; which the Sap also carries off, in some part, as it passeth into the Barque.

17. §. The Sap thus strained, though it be pure, and consisteth of Essential parts; yet being compounded of heterogeneous ones; and re∣ceived into the Parenchyma of the Barque a laxe and spongy Body, they will now easily and mildly ferment. Whereby they will be yet fur∣ther prepared, and so more easily in••inuate themselves into all the Bladders of the said Parenchyma; swelling and dilating it as far as the Continuity of its parts will bear. Whereupon, partly from the conti∣nued entrance of fresh Sap, and partly by a Motion or Pressure of Re∣stitution in the swollen and Tensed Bladders of the Parenchyma, the Sap is forced thence into the other parts of the Root.

18. §. And because the Parenchyma is in no place openly and Visibly Pervious, but is every where composed of an Infinite Number of small Bladdersc; the Sap, therefore, is not only fermented therein, and fitted for Separation; but, as it passeth through it, is every part of it, strained an Hundred times over, from Bladder to Bladder.

19. §. The Sap thus fermented, and strained, is distributed to the other Organical Parts, according as the several Principles of This, are agreeable to those whereof the said Organical Parts consist. As the Sap therefore passeth from Bladder to Bladder, such Principles as are agree∣able to those of the Fibres of the said Bladders, will adhere to, and in∣sinuate themselves into the Body of the Fibres; sc. Watry chiefly, next Acid, then spirituous, Earthy, Aery, and Oleus.d

20. §. And the Sap by its continual appulse and percolation, as it leaveth some parts upon the said Fibres; so as it is squeezed betwixt them from Bladder to Bladder, it licks and carries off some others from them, in some union together with it; and so is Impregnate herewith: as Water, by passing through a Mineral Vein, becomes tinctured with that Mineral.

21. §. The Sap thus Impregnate with some united Principles of the Parenchymous Fibres, passeth on to the Lignous Vessels, whereinto their correspondent Principles also enter; sc. Watry, Saline, Oleous and Earthy chiefly.e And because the Parenchymous Principles mixed with them, are in some degree united, and so more ready to fix; some of these therefore will likewise enter into the said Vessels. Whereupon, the Alkalioleosum of the one, and the Acidum spirituosum of the other, meeting together; These, with the other Principles, all concentre, and of divers fluids, become one fixed Body, and are gradually agglutinated to the Vessels; that is, The Vessels are now nourished.

22. §. The supply of the Sap still continued, the Principles thereof will not only enter into the Body of these Parts, but also their Concaves. And the Parenchymous Fibres being wrapped about the Vessels,a as often as the said Fibres are more turgid with their own contained Fluid, they will thereby be somewhat shortned, or contract in length; and so must needs bind upon the Vessels, and thereby, as it were, squeeze some part of the Fluid, contained both within themselves and the Vessels, back again into the Bladders.

23. §. And the Sap herein, being thus tinctured with some of the united Principles of the Vessels, divers of them will now also insinuate themselves into the Parenchymous Fibres, and be incorporated with them: Whereby, the said Fibres, which before were only relaxed and dilated, are now also nourished, and not till now. Some portion of the united Principles both of the Parenchymous and Lignous Parts, be∣ing necessary to the true nutrition of Each: As the Confusion and joynt assistance of both the Arterious and Nervous Fluids, is to the nourishment or coagulation of the Parts in Animals.

24. §. Some portion of the Sap thus doubly tinctured, is at the same time transmitted to, and enters the Body of the Aer-Vessels; con∣sisting chiefly of Water, Aer, and Acid; and, in like manner, as in the other Parts is herein agglutinated. And the appulse and pressure of the Sap still continued, some portion hereof is also trajected into the Concaves of the said Vessels; existing therein as a most Compounded Fluid; par∣taking, more or less, both of the Principles and Tinctures of the other Organical Parts, and of the Aer-Vessels themselves; being as it were, a Mixed Resolution from them all.

25. §. And the Parenchymous Fibres being wrapped about These, as about the other Vessels,b and, in like manner, binding upon them; they thus frequently squeeze part of the said contained Fluid out again: As necessary, though not to the immediate Nourishment of the Parts, yet the due Qualification of the Sap; being a Constant Aerial Ferment, successively stored up within the Aer-Vessels, and thence trans∣fused to the Sap, in the other Organical Parts.

26. §. And that there may be a better Transition of the Sap thus tinctured, to the several Organical Parts; therefore, none of them are close set and compact within themselves, severally: For so, they would be inaccessible to the Sap, and their inward Portions, wanting a due supply of Aliment, would be starved. But the Vessels, both of Aer and Sap, being every where divided into Braced Portions, and other Parenchymous Portions, filling up the spaces every where betwixt themc; there is therefore a free and copious communication of the Sap, (and so of all the Tinctures successively transfused into it) from Part to Part, and to every Portion of every Part: The Parenchymous Portions, running betwixt the Braces, as the smaller Vessels do through∣out the Viscera, in Animals. Whereby, none of them want that Matter, which is necessary either for their Nutrition, or for the good Estate of their Contents, or for the due period of their Growth.

27. §. For the better Tempering of the several parts of the Sap, serve the Diametral Portions of the Parenchymous Body whichrun some∣times directly through the Barque, as in Lovage, Parsley, &c. is described and figur'dd Which being, all or most of them, continued be twixt both the Succiserous and the Aer-Vessels, from the Circumference

to the Centre; they hereby carry off a more Copious and Aerial Ferment from the One, and communicate it unto the Other. For as the Sap enters the Barque, the more liquid part, still passeth into the succulent Portions thereof; the more Aery, is separated into those White and Dryer Diametral ones; and in its passage betwixt the Porti∣ons of the Aer-Vessels, is all along communicated to them. Yet is it not a pure or simple Aer, but such as carries a Tincture with it, from the Succife∣rous Vessels. And therefore it is observable, That when the Diametral Portions are more distant, the Sap-Vessels run not in a Straight Line be∣twixt them, but are Reciprocally so inclined, as to touch upon them; as in Lovage is visible: Thereby communicating their Tincture to the Aer, as it passeth by them, through the said Diametral Portions.

28. §. By the continual appulse of fresh Sap, some, both of the aery, and of all the other parts thereof are transmitted into the Pith; where, finding more room, it will yet more kindly be digested. Espe∣cially having the advantage herein of some degree of Warmth; be∣ing herein remoter from the Soil, and, as it were, Tunn'd up within the Wood, or the Mass of surrounding Vessels. So that the Pith, is a Repository of better Aliment gradually supplied to those Succiferous Vessels, which are frequently scattered up and down therein, and which ascend into the Trunk.a But where no succiferous Vessels are mixed, herewith, it usually becomes Dryer, and is replenished with a more Aerial and Warmer Sap; whereby the growth of the Caulis is promoted, as by an Hot Bed set just under it. And in many Plants with divers knobbed Roots, the younger are more succulent, serving chiefly to feed the Stalk: the Elder are spongy and fill'd with Aer, for the fer∣menting of the Sap, and more early growth of the Stalk: as in little Celandine, Dogstones and all of that Kindred. And thus all the Parts have a fit Aliment provided for their Nourishment

29. §. IN THIS Nourishment, the Principles of the Sap are, as is said, concentred and locked up one within another:b Whence it is, that the Organical Parts, being cleansed of their Contents, have none of them any Taste or Smell, as in the Piths of Plants, Paper and Linen Cloth is evident.c Because till by Digestion, violent Destillation, or some other way, they are resolved, they cannot act upon the Organs of those Senses. For the same reason, they are never tinctured, ex∣cepting by their Contents: and although, to the bare Eye, they fre∣quently shew White, yet viewed through a Microscope, they all appear transparent. In like manner, as the Serum of Blood, Whites of Eggs, Tendons, Hairs and Horns themselves are transparent, and without much Smell or Taste, their Principles being, in all of them, more or less concentred: But when ever these Principles, are forcibly resolved, they are ever variously invested with all those Qualities.

30. §. And as from the Concentration of the Principles, in every Organical Part, the said Parts do thus far, all agree: So, from the Predominion of the Principles of each Part, the rest are controuled, not only to a Concentration, but an Assimilation also; whereby, the Specifick Differences, of the several Organical Parts, are preserved. Hence the succiferous Vessels are always Tough and very Pliable; for so are all Barques, wherein these Vessels abound; so is a Handful of Flax, which is nothing else but a heap of the succiferous Vessels in the Barque of

that Plant. For besides Water, and Earth, an Alkaline Salt and Oyl are, as is said, the predominant Principles of these Vessels.a It is then the Oyl, chiefly, by which these Vessels are Tough: for being of a tenacious Nature, by taking hold of other Principles, it marries them together; and the Alkaline Salt and Earth, concentred with it, addeth to it more Strength. Hence the Caput Mortuum of most Bodies, especially those that abound with Oyl and a Sal Alkali, is brittle and friable; those Principles, which were the Ligaments of the rest, being forced away from them. From the same Cause, the Parenchymous Parts of a Root, even in their Natural State, are brittle and friable; sc. Because their Earthy, and especially Oleous and Saline Principles are, as is said,b so very few. Therefore all Piths and more simple Parenchyma's, break short, so Corn, and the Roots of Potato's, and divers other Plants, being dryed, will easily be rub'd to Meal; and many Apples, after Frosts, eat mealy; the Parenchymous Parts of all which, are not only by Analogy, but in Substance or Essence, the self same Body.c

31. §. And as the Consistence of the several Organical Parts, is de∣pendent on their Principles; so are their Figures. And first, the Succiferous Vessels, from their Alkaline Salt,d grow in Length. For by that Dimension, chiefly, This Salt always shoots: And being a less moveable Principle than the rest, and so apt more speedily to fix or shoot: It thus overrules them to its own Figure. And even as the Shape of a Button dependeth on the Mould, the Silk and other Materials wrought upon it, being always conformable thereunto: so here; the Salt is, as it were, the Mould; about which, the other more passive Principles gathering themselves, they all consort and fashion to it. Hence also the same Sap-Vessels are not pyramidal, as the Veins of Ani∣mals; but of an equal bore, from end to end; the shootings of the said Salt, being also figured more agreeably to that Dimension. And as by the Saline Principle, these Vessels are Long; so by the Oleous,e they are every where Round, or properly Cylindrical; without some joynt Efficacy of which Principle, the said Vessels would be Flat, or some way Edged and Angular, as all saline shoots, of themselves, are; as those of Alum, Vitriol, Sal Ammoniac, Sea Salt, Nitre, &c. And because the Spirituous and more Fluid part of the Principles, is least of all apt to fix; while therefore, the other parts fix round about, This will remain moveable in the Centre; from whence every Vessel is formed, not into a solid, but hollow Cylinder; that is, becomes a Tube.

32. §. The Lactiferous Vessels are tubulary, as the Lymphaeducts, but of a somewhat wider Concave or Bore. For being their Princi∣ples are less Earthy and Oleous, and also more loosely Concentred; as from their easie corruption or Resolution by the Aer, it appears they are: they are therefore more tender, and so more easily dilative, and yielding to the said Spirituous part in the Centre. And by this means, obtaining a wider Bore, they are more adapted to the free motion of the Milky Content: which being an Oleous and Thicker Liquor, than that in the Lympheducts; and having no advantage of pulsation, as the Blood hath in Animals; might sometimes be apt to stagnate, if the Vessels, through which it moves, were not somewhat wider.

33. §. As the Saline Principle is the Mould of the Succiferous, so is the Aerial of the Aer-Vessels.a Now the Particles of Aer strictly so called, at least of that part of it concerned in the Generation of the Aer-Vessels, I suppose, are crooked: and that by composition of many of those crooked ones together, some of them become Spiral, or of some other winding Figure: and that thereupon dependeth the Ela∣stick Property of the Aer, or its being capable of Rarefaction and Condensation by force. Wherefore, the said crooked Particles of the Aer, first shooting and setting together, as the Mould, the other Prin∣ciple cling and fix conformably round about them. So that, as by force of the Saline Principles, the rest of them are made to shoot out in Long continued Fibres; so by force of the Aerial, those Fibers are still disposed into Spiral Lines, thus making up the Aer-Vessels. And according as there are fewer of these Aerial Particles, in proportion to the Saline, the Concave of the Aer-Vessels is variously wider, or the Fi∣bres continue their shooting by wider Rings; as those that come nearer to a right Line, and so are more complient to the Figure and shooting of the Saline parts. And whereas the Lympheducts, shooting out on∣ly in length, are never sensibly amplified beyond their original size: These, on the contrary, always, more or less, enlarge their Diameter; because their Fibres, being disposed into Spiral Lines, must needs therefore, as they continue their growth, be still dilated into greater and greater Rings. And being at the bottom of the Root more re∣mote from the Aer, and so having somewhat fewer Particles purely Aerial, there ingredient to them, then at the top; they fall more un∣der the government of the Saline, and so come nearer to a right Line, that is into greater Circles; and so the Aer-Vessels, made up of those Circles, are there generally wider.b

34. §. By mediation of their Principles, the Parenchymous Parts likewise of a Root have their proper Contexture. For from their A∣cid Salt they are Fibrous; from their Oyl, the Fibres are Round, and in all parts even within themselves; and from their Spirit, it is most probable, that they are also hollow. But because the Spirit is, here, more copious than the Aer; and the Saline Principle an Acid,c and so, more under the government of the Spirit, than is an Alkali; therefore are not the said Fibres continued in straight Lines, as the Sap-Vessels; or by one uniform motion, into spiral lines, as the Fibres in the Aerial; but winding, in a circular manner, to and fro a thou∣sand ways, agreeable to the like motions of the Spirit, that most active, and here most predominant Principle. And the Spirituous Parts being, as is said, here more copious and redundant, they will not only suf∣fice to fill up the Concaves of the Fibres, but will also gather toge∣ther into innumerable little spaces, without them: whence the Fi∣bres cannot wind close together, as Thred, in a Bottom of Yarn; but are forced to keep at some distance, one parcel from another, and so are disposed, as Bread is in baking, into Bladders.d

35. §. And the under Fibres being set first, as the Warp, the spi∣rituous parts next adjacent, will incline also to fix, and so govern an over work of Fibres, wrapping, as the Woof, in still smaller Circles round the other: whereby they are all knit together.e For the same reason, the Lympheducts, being first formed, the Parenchymous Fibres set and wrap about These also.f And the Aer-Vessels being

formed in the Center, the succiferous run along those likewise (as vo∣latile Salts shoot along the sides of a Glass, or Frost upon a Window) and so are, as it were, Incrustate about them in a Ring.

36. §. SOME OF THE more Aetherial and Subtile parts of the Aer, as they stream through the Root, it should seem, by a certain Magni∣tisme, do gradually dispose the Aer-Vessels, where there are any store of them, into Rays. This Attraction (as I take leave to call it) or Magnetick power betwixt the Aer and these Vessels, may be argued, From the nature of the Principles common to them both: From the Electral nature of divers other Bodies; the Load-stone being not the only one which is attractive: And from other Effects, both beforea and hereafter mentioned. Wherefore in the inferiour parts of the Root, they are less Regular;b because more remote from the Aer. And in the upper parts of many Roots, as Cumsery, Borage, Parsnep, where those that are next the Centre are confused, or differently disposed; those next the Barque, and so nearer the Aer, are postu∣red more Regularly, and usually into Rays. For the same reason it may be; that even the Sap-Vessels in the Barque, as often as the Aer Vessels are more numerous, are usually disposed into Rays, as follow∣ing the direction of the Aer-Vessels. And that the Parenchyma of the Barque, is disposed into Diametral Portions: and that where the Aer Vessels are fewer or smaller, these Portions are likewise smaller or none; as in Chervil, Asparagus, Dandelion, Orpine, Bistort, Horse-Radish, Potato's, &c.

37. §. The said Aetherial parts of the Aer, have a Power over the Aer-Vessels not only thus to Dispose them; but also to Sollicite and spread them abroad from the Center towards the Circumference of the Root. By which means, those Roots which have no Pith in their lower parts, obtain one in their upper.c And the same Pith, which in the lower part, is ratably, small, in the upper, is more or less enlarged.d

38. §. The Spreading of these Vessels is varied, not only accor∣ding to the Force the Aer hath upon them, but also their own greater or less Aptitude to yield thereto. As often therefore, as they are Slen∣derer, they will also be more Pliable and recessive from the Centre, towards the Circumference. Hence, in such Roots where they are small, they stand more distant; as in Turnep, Jerusalem Artichoke, Po∣tato's, and others; and so their Braces are fewer: and in the same Root, where they are smaller, their distance is greater. Besides, in these smaller Aer-Vessels, the Rings being less, and the Spiral Fibres whereof they are made, continuing to shoot; the said Rings therefore, must needs be so many more, as they are smaller; and so take up more space by the length of the Root; and so, not being capable of being crowded in a right line, every Vessel will be forced to recede to a crooked or bowed one.

39. §. The Sap Vessels, being by the Parenchymous Fibres knit to these, will likewise comply with Their motion, and spread abroad with them. Yet being still smallere and more pliable than the Aer-Vessels, and so more yielding to the intercurrent Fibres of the Parenchyma, their braced Threds will, sometimes, be much more divaricated, than those of the Aer-Vessels; as in Jerusalem Artichoke. And because the Succiferous

Vessels, although they are joyned to the Aerial by the Parenchymous Fibres,a yet are not continuous with them; neither fall under the like Attractive Power of the Aer, as the Aerial do; the Aerial therefore, upon their spreading, do not always carry all the Succife∣rous along with them; but often, if not always, leave many of them behind them sprinkled up and down the Pith; as in Parsley, Carrot, Jerusalem Artichoke, Turnep, &c. may be seen.

40. §. The spreading of the Aer-Vessels still continued, several of them, at length, break forth beyond the circumference of the Root; and so are distributed, either in the lower parts, into Branches and Strings; or at the top, into Leaves. And lest they should all spread themselves into Leaves, and none be left for the Caulis; as where they are very small, or the Sap-Vessels to bound them, are but few, they might; therefore divers of them are, oftentimes, more fre∣quently braced in the Centre; for which reason, they cannot so easily separate and spread themselves from thence, but run more inwardly up into the Caulis, as in Borage.

41. §. FROM THE various Sizes, Proportions, and Dispositions of the Parts, Roots are variously sized, shaped, moved and aged. Those which, by their Annual Growth, are large; have fewer, both Aerial, and Sap-Vessels, and a more copious Parenchyma. So that the Aer-Vessels, or rather, the Aery Ferment contained in them, volatilizing only a smaller portion of the Sap; the said Sap is less capable of ad∣vancement into the Trunk; and so must needs remain and fix more co∣piously in the Root, which is thereby more augmented. And where the Sap-Vessels alone, are but few, the Root is yet, ratably, some∣what large: but where they are numerous, it is never so, as to its Annual Growth, in any proportion to their Number: Because their Tincture, which is Alkaline, will go farther in setting the Parenchy∣mous Parts: than the Tincture of These, which is Acidulate, will go, in setting Them.b

42. §. When the Aer-Vessels are more pliable and sequent to the Attraction of the Aer, and so spread themselves, and the Succiferous together with them, more abroad; in the manner as hath been said; the Root also will grow more in Breadth; the nutrition of the Paren∣chymous Parts, to which the Vessels are adjacent, being thus, by the same dimension, more augmented; as in Turnep, Jerusalem Artichoke, &c. But where these are not spread abroad, the Root is but slender; as in Asparagus, Dandelion, &c.

43. §. If the Aer-Vessels be contracted into, or near the Centre, and are somewhat Large or Numerous; and the Succiferous, also more copiously mixed with, or surrounding them; the Root grows very Long; as do those of Fenil, Vine, Liquirish, &c. For the Aer-Vessels containing a more copious Ferment, it will well digest and mature the Sap: Yet the Succiferous being over proportioned to them; the Sap will not therefore, be so far volatilized, as to ascend chiefly into the Trunk; but only to subserve a fuller Growth of their Vessels: which being more numerous, and so more sturdy, and less sequent to the expansive motion of the Aerial; this their own Growth, and conse∣quently, that of all the other Parts, cannot be so much in Breadth, as Length.

44. §. Where the same Aerial Vessels are Fewer, or more Contracted, or sheathed in a Thicker and Closer Barque; the Root is smooth, and less Ramified, as in Asparagus, Peony, Dandelion. But where more Numerous, sheathed in a Thinner Barque, Smaller, or more Dilated; the Root is more Ramified, or more Stringy, as in Columbine, Clary, Beet, Nicotian. For being, as is said, by these means, more sequent to the Attraction of the Aer; approaching still nearer the circumfe∣rence of the Barque, they at last strike through it, into the Earth. And the Parenchymous Fibres being wrapped about them, and the Succiferous Vessels knit to them by those Fibres;a therefore they never break forth naked, but always invested with some quantity of these Parts as their Barque: where by, whatever Constitutive Part is in the main Body of the Root, the same is also in every Branch or String.

45. §. From the same Expansion and Pliability of the Aer-Vessels, the Root oftentimes putteth forth Root-Buds; which gradually shoot up and become so many Trunks. In the Formation of which Buds, they are pliable and recessive all kinds of ways; being not only in∣vited Outward, toward the Circumference of the Root, as in Root-strings, but also spread more Abroad every way, so as to make a Root-Bud: Where as in the said Root-strings; they are always more Con∣tracted. Which, in respect of the Disposition of the Parts, is the principal difference betwixt the Root and the Trunk, as hath been said.b Hence, those Roots, chiefly, have Root-Buds, which have the smallest Aer-Vessels;c these, as is said, being the most pliable and Expansive.

46. §. But because the expansiveness of the Vessels, dependeth also, in part, upon the Fewness of their Braces; therefore the said Buds shoot forth differently, in divers Roots. Where the Braces are fewer, the Buds shoot forth beyond the Circumference of the Root, as in Je∣rusalem Artichoke; where more close, as in Potato's, the Buds lie a little absconded beneath it; the Aer-Vessels being here, by their Braces, somewhat checked and curbed in, while the Barque continueth to swell into a fuller Growth.

47. §. If the Aer-Vessels are all along more equally sized, the Root is so also, or Cylindrical; as are those of Eryngo, Horse-Radish, Marshmallow, Liquirish, &c. But if unequal, growing still wider to∣wards the bottom of the Root; then the Root is unequal also: But groweth, as is observable, quite contrarily to the Aer-Vessels; not Greater, as They do; but still smaller, or pyramidally; as in Fenil, Borage, Nettle, Patience, Thorn-Apple, &c. is apparent. For the Aer-Vessels peing considerably wider about the bottome of these Roots; they there contein a more Copious Ferment: Whereby the Sap is there also more volatilized, and plentifully advanced to the Upper Parts. Withal, thus receiving into themselves, and so trasmitting to the up∣per Parts, a more plentiful Vapour, they hereby rob the Parenchymous Parts of their Aliment, and so stint them in their Growth.

48. §. FROM THE different Proportions and Situation of the Parts, the Motions of Roots are also various. For where the Are-Vessels are spread abroad and invested with a thinner Barque; the Root runs or lies Level, as in the level-Roots of Primrose, Bishops-weed, Anemone, &c.

may be seen. So that these Roots, as by the Perpendicular Strings, which shoot from them into the Earth, and wherein the Aer-Vessels are contracted into their Center, they are Plucked downa: So by the Aer-Vessels, which stand nearer the Aer, and more under its At∣tractive Powerb they are invited upwards; whereby they have neither ascent nor descent, but keep level, betwixt both.

49. §. But if these Vessels are Contracted, standing either in, or near the Centre, and are invested with a Barque proportionably Thick; the Root striketh down perpendicularly, as doth that of Dan∣delion, Bugloss, Parsnep, &c. And therefore the said Vessels, although they are spread abroad in the level Roots, yet in the perpendicular ones of the same Plant, they are always contracted; as by comparing the Level and Down-right Roots of Ammi, Primrose, Jerusalem Artichoke, Cowslip, and others, is manifest.

50. §. If the Aer-Vessels are Contracted, and Environed with a greater number of Succiferous, the Root grows deep; that is, perpen∣dicular and long.c Perpendicular, from the Contraction of the Aer-Vessels; d and long, from the Predominion of the Succiferous, which in their growth, are extended only by that Dimension, as in Liquirish, Eryngo, &c.

51. §. If the Succiferous are over proportioned to the Parenchymous Parts, but under to the Aer-Vessels; the Root is perpendicular still, but groweth shallow: The Succiferous being sturdy enough to keep it per∣pendicular; But the Aer-Vessels having a predominion to keep it from growing deep; as in Stramonium, Nicotian, Beet, &c.

52. §. If, on the contrary, the Parenchymous Parts are predomi∣nant to the Aer Vessels; and that, both in the Root and Trunk; then the whole Root changeth place, or descends.e For the said Aer-Vessels, having neither in the Trunck, nor in the Root, a sufficient Power to Draw it upwards; it therefore gradually yields to the Motion of its String-Roots; which, as they strike into the Soil, Pluck it down after them. And because the old Strings annually rot off, and new ones successively shoot down into the Ground, it therefore annually still de∣scendeth lower; as in Tulip, Lily, &c. may be observed.

53. §. Where the Aer-Vessels are much spread abroad, and also nu∣merous, the Root oftentimes, as to its several parts, descends and ascends both at once. So Radishes and Turneps, at the same time, in which their nether parts descend; their upper, (where the said Vessels are more loosely braced, and spread more abroad than in the lower parts) do ascend, or make their Growth upward. Hence also, the upper part of most young Roots from Seed, ascends: Because the first Leaves, be∣ing proportionably large, and standing in a free Aer, the Aer-Vessels therein, have a dominion over the young Root; and so themselves yielding to the solicitation of the Aer, upwards; they draw the Root, in part, after them.

54. §. BY THE Situation and Proportion of the Parts, the Age of the Root is also varied. For if the Sap-Vessels have the greatest Proportion, the Root, is Perennial, and that to the farthest extent, as in Trees and Shrubs. Because these Vessels containing a more copious Oyl;f and their several Principles being more closely Concentred, they are less subject to a Resolution, that is, a Corruption or Mortificati∣on by the Aer.

55. §. If the Parenchymous Parts have much the greatest, the Root seldom liveth beyond Two Years; but afterwards perisheth ei∣ther in whole, or in part; as do divers bulbous, tuberous, and other Roots; whether they are more Porous and Succulent, or more Close and Dry. If Porous, all the Liquid Principles standing herein more abundant, either by a stronger Fermentation, or otherwise, Resolve the fixed ones of the Organical Parts; whence the whole Root, rots; as in Potato's. So also Parsneps, and some other Roots, which, in a hard and barren Soil, will live several years, in another more rank, will quickly rot. If the Parenchyma be Close, then the Aer, chiefly, entring in and filling it up, thus mortifies the Root; not by Rotting the Parts, but over Drying them; as in Satyrion, Rape-Crowfoot, Monks∣hood, &c.a

56. §. But if the Aer-Vessels have the greatest Proportion, and espe∣cially if they are more large, and withall, are spread more abroad: the Root is Annual, as in Thorn-Apple, Nicotian, Carduus Ben. &c. And of the same Kindred, if any, those are Annual, which have the most Aer-Vessels. So Endive and Sonchus, which have store of Aer-Vessels, are both Annual: whereas Cichory, in which they are few∣er, is a Perennial Root. For hereby a more copious Aer being Trans∣fused into all the other Parts;b they are thus, by degrees, hard∣ned, and become sticky; and so impervious to the Sap, which ought to have a free and universal Transition from Part to Part. As Bones, by Precipitations from the Blood, at length, cease to grow. Or the same more abundant Aer, so far volatilizeth the Liquors in the Root, that they are wholly advanced into the Trunk, and so the Root is starved. Whence also the Aer-Vessels of the Trunk; where they are numerous, and over proportioned to the Bulk of the Root, as in Corn; they so far promote the advance of the Sap, as to exhaust the Root, sucking it into a Consumption and Death.

57. §. FROM THE Principles of the Parts, their Contents and the several Qualities hereof are also various;c the Fluid of each Organical Part, being made, chiefly, by Filtration through the sides thereof; such of the Principles in the Sap, being admitted into, and transmitted through them, as are aptest thereunto. In the like manner, as when Oyl and Water, being poured upon a Paper, the Water passeth through, the Oyl sticks: or as the Chyle is strained through the Coats of the Guts, into the Lacteal Vessels: or as Water in Purgations, is strained through the Glands of the same Guts, from the Mesente∣rical.

58. §. The Principles therefore of the Parenchymous Fibres being spirituous, acid, and aerial, they will also admit the like into them; excluding those chiefly which are Alkaline and Oleous.d And as by the Conjugation of such Principles in the Fibres, the like are capable of admittance into their Body: so the Proportion and Union of the same Principles, regulates the transmission hereof into their Concave. Where∣fore, the predominant Principles of the Fibres being chiefly acid, next spirituous, and aery, the more aery ones will be transmitted. For if more of them should fix they must do so by similitude and adhesion: But where there are fewer similary parts to adhere to, fewer must ad∣here. The Fibres therefore contain so many parts of Aer, as to admit

many more into their Body; but not to fix them; which therefore must needs, upon admission, pass through into their Concave; where, together with some other more spirituous parts, they make an Aetherial Fluid. And because some aqueous or vaporous parts will also strain through with them; hence it is, that as more and more of these enter, they by degrees still thrust out the aery ones; which quitting the more succulent Fibres of the Parenchyma, are forced to betake themselves to the dryer ones, scil. all those, whereof the Diametral Portions do consist. For the same reason the Aery parts being gradually excluded the succulent Fibres of the Barque; they are forced to recede and trans∣migrate into those of the Pith. And the Fibres of the Pith themselves being filled, and the Aery parts still forced into them; they at length also strain through the Fibres into the Bladders: whence it comes to pass, that while the Barque is succulent, the Pith is often times filled with Aer.

59. §. The Lymphaeducts being more earthy,a Salinous; oleous, and aqueous, will both admit and copiously fix the like Principles, as their proper Aliment. The Water being more perfluent than the rest, will therefore strain, with a lighter Tincture of them, into their Concave. Especially the Oleous parts of these being rampant, and less apt to fix and seize the aqueous, upon their entrance, than the saline.

60. §. The Lactiferous, appearing to be made, chiefly, by the Constipation of the Parenchymous Parts all round about their Sides; the Liquor conteined in those Parts, although it may easily enough be transfused into the Hollow of these Vessels; yet seems it not, with equal facility, to be refunded thence: So that the thinner and more aqueous Portion only, passing off; the remainder, is, as it were, an Oleous Elixyr, or extract, in the form of a Milk.

61. §. The Fluid Ferment contained in the Aer-Vessels, is also in part, dependent on the Principles of those Vessels, being in their per∣colation tinctured therewith. But because the percolation is not made through the Body of the Fibres whereof the Vessels are composed, but only betwixt them; therefore the transient Principles more promiscuos∣ly, yet with an over porportion of dryer Particles, pass into the Con∣caves of these Vessels, and so are herein all immersed in a Body of Aer.b The Fibres themselves, in the mean time, as those of the Parenchyma, admitting and containing a more Aery and Aetherial Fluid.

62. §. The Contents are varied, not only by the Nature, but also the Proportion and Situation of the Parts, whereby the said Contents are with different Facility and Quantity, communicated one to another. Hence it is, partly, that a Vine, or that Corn, hath so little Oyl: sc. Because their Aer-Vessels, in proportion with the other Parts, are so Great and Numerous: in Corn, the Stalk being also very hollow, and so becoming as it were, one Great Aer-Vessel. For the Oily parts of the Sap, are so exceedingly attenuatedc by the Aery Ferment contained in these Vessels; that they are, for the most part, so far immersed in the Spirit, or mixed therewith, as not, by being collected in any conside∣rable Body, to be distinguishable from it. And the affinity that is be∣twixt Spirits and Oils, especially Essential, is manifest: Both are very inflammable; Both will burn all away; The Odors, which we call the Spirits of Plants, are lodged in their essential Oyl; Both, being

duly Rectified, will mix as easily together, as Water and Wine. So that, although Oyl, by the separation of its earthy and Saline parts, which give it its sensibly oleous Body, may not be so far attenuated, as to produce a Spirit; yet that it may so far be attenuated, and so be mixed therewith, as not to be discerned from it, as in the forementioned Plants, will be granted.

63. §. Hence it is, that the Lactiferous standing more remote from the Aer-Vessels, and the Succiferous interposing;a the Liquor, there∣fore, contained in them, is not so much under the government of the Aerial Ferment, and is thence, partly, more Oily. For the same rea∣son, all Roots which are Milky, so far as I have observed, have an un∣der-proportion of Aer-Vessels, these being either Fewer or Smaller.

64. §. FROM what hath been said, we may receive some information, likewise, of the Odours, Colours, and Tastes of Plants. And for Odours, I suppose, That the chief Matter of them, is the Aerial Ferment contained in the Aer-Vessels. Not but that the other Parts do also yield their smell; but that these yield the strongest and the best, and immediately perceptible in fresh, undryed and unbruised Plants. For the Aer entring into, and passing through the Root, and carrying a Tincture, from the several Organical and Contai∣ned Parts, along with it, and at last entring also the Concaves of the Aer-Vessels; it there exists the most Compounded and Volatile Fluid, of all others in the Plant, and so the fittest matter of Odour: and such an Odour, as answers to that of all the Odorous parts of the Plant.b Wherefore the Organical Parts, being well clensed of their Contents, smell not at all; Because the Principles hereof are, as hath been said, so far fixed and concentred together. Hence also the Contained Parts themselves, or any other Bodies, as their Principles are any way more fixed, they are less Odorous: So is Rosin, less than Turpentine, and Pitch, than Tar; and many the self same Bodies, when they are coagulated, less than when they are melted. So also Musk, which is not so liquid as Civet, is not so strong; nor Ambergreece, as Musk: For although it hath a more excellent smell, than Musk hath, yet yieldeth it not so easily; since it is a more fixed Body, and requireth some Art to be opened. Hence also the Leaves of many Plants lose their Odour upon rubbing: Because the Aer-Vessels being thereby bro∣ken, all their contained odorous Fluid vanisheth at once: which be∣fore, was only strained gradually through the Skin. Yet the fixed Parts themselves, upon drying, are so far altered by the Sun and Aer, as to become resoluble, and volatile, and thence odorous.

65. §. SO ALSO of their Colours. As whence the Colours of the Skins are varied▪ For divers of the Sap-Vessels, together with the Parenchymous Parts successively falling off from the Barque into the Skinc by their proximity to the Earth and Aer, their Sulphureous or Oleous Principle is more or less resolved, and so produceth divers Co∣lours. So those Roots which turn purple any where within, have usually a blacker Skin; the one of those two Colours being, by a reso∣lution and corruption of parts, easily convertible into the other, as in Cumfry, Thistle, &c, So the Milk of Scorzonera, contained in the Vessels of the Barque, upon drying, turneth into a brown Co∣lour:

Wherefore the Skin, in which there are divers of those Ves∣sels, is of the same. So both the Milk and Skin of Lovage is of a brownish yellow. But Parsnep hath a clearer Sap in all its Vessels, and a whiter Skin. So Potato's, being cut traverse, after some time out of ground, have divers red specks up and down where the Vessels stand, and their Skin is accordingly red.

66. §. The reason, I say of these Colours, is the resolution or re∣servation of the Principles of the several Parts, chiefly, by the Aer, and a lighter mixture of them consequent thereupon: whereby the Sul∣phureous or Oyly Parts, which were before concentred, are now more or less rampant, discovering themselves in divers Colours, according as they are diversly mixed with the other Principles. Hence these Co∣lours are observable, according to the nature of the Parts wherein they are, or whereunto they are adjacent: So where the Lympheducts doe run, there is a Red, or some other Sulphureous Colour; the Ole∣ous Principles being, as is said,a more copious in these Vessels; as in the Bark of Peony, the inward parts of Potato's, &c. may be seen. But the Parenchymous Parts, where more remote from the said Vessels, they are usually White, or but Yellow: the Sulphureous Prin∣ciple of these Parts, being, as hath been said, but sparing.b The same is seen in those Roots which shew both Red and Yellow: those Parts, principally, where the Succiferous Vessels run, being Red; but those Parts, where only the Aer-Vessels are mixed with the Parenchy∣mous, being Yellow; as in Patience. So likewise the pithy part of a Carrot, where the Aer-Vessels have very few Succiferous mixed with them, is Yellow; but the Barque, where the Succiferous are very nu∣merous, is Red. For the same reason, many Roots, which are Whiter in their upper parts, are Purple or Reddish in their infe∣riour, as Avens, Strawberry, &c. Because those lower parts, having lain longerc under ground (these being descending Roots) their Principles are, thereby, somewhat more resolved, and so the Oleous, ramp and spread all over the rest in that Colour.

67. § And that the Resolution of the Sulphureous and other Prin∣ciples is partly effected by the Aer, appears, In that, where the Aer hath a free access to the Succiferous Vessels, the Colours are there, chiefly produced, or are more conspicuous. So in Potato's, where the Succiferous Vessels are either next to the external Aer, as in the Skin; or contiguous with the Aer-Vessels, as in the Ring within the Barque; there, they produce a Red: but where more remote from both, as in the middle of the Barque, and Centre of the Root, there they produce none. Hence also it is, that the Leaves and Flowers of some Plants, as Bloodwort, Wood-Sorrel, Radish, Jacea, &c. although Green or White in the greatest portion of their Pa∣renchymous Part; yet where the Succiferous and Aer-Vessels run to∣gether, they are of Red, Blue, and other Colours; the Oleous parts of the one, being unlocked and opened, by the aery of the other.

68. §. AND LASTLY, of their Tasts. Most Roots which are acres or bitting, have a very copious Parenchyma in proportion with the Succiferous Vessels, as of Arum, Dragon, and others: Because the Saline and other Principles are not so much hot, by any sufficient quantity of Sulphureous, from those Vessels, in which the Sulphur, as is said, is more abundant;a but rendred rather pungent, from

some Spirit and Aer. But divers Umbelliferous Roots, especially which abound with Lactiferous Vessels, are hot; as Fenil, Lovage, Angelica, &c. Yet is it not their Oyl alone that makes them hot, but the com∣bination thereof with the Saline Parts: as is manifest, from the na∣ture of the Seed of these Plants; wherein, as the Oyl is most copi∣ous; So being held to a Candle till they burn, constantly spit; which cometh to pass, by the eruption of the Saline Parts: and is the very same effect, with that which followeth upon burning of Serum or Blood. And therefore, as these Seeds are more hot, they also spit the more; So those of Cumine, which, though fulsom, yet are not so hot, spit less; Fenil and Dill, which are hotter, more; there being a greater quantity of volatile Salt contained herein. Hence all Essential Oyls are hot, the Spirit and volatile Salt, being in∣corporated herewith. And some of them will shoot, and crystallize as Salts do, as that of Anise; which argues a mixture of a considerable quantity of volatile Salt. As also doth the Nature of these Oyls, in being amicable to the Stomach, Carminative, and sometimes Anodyne; scil. as they kill some fetid, or corrosive Acid: for volatile Salts them∣selves will have the like operation in some cases as these Oyls.

69. §. Many Lactiferous Roots, as Taraxacum and others of that kind, are not so much hot, as bitter. For although by the Lactife∣rous Vessels they are very Oyly; yet those Vessels being posited in Rings, and not in Rays, and having no Diametral Portions running through their Barque to the Aer-Vessels; the Acido-Aerial Parts do hereby, al∣though not mortifie, yet so far refract the saline, lightly binding up the Oleous therewith, as to produce a bitter Taste. So, many sweet Bodies, upon burning, become bitter; the Acid Parts, now becoming rampant, and more copiously mixed with the Oleous.

70. The Roots, or other Parts, of many Umbelliferous Plants, have a sweetish Taste, as both the Sweet, and Common Chervil; both the Garden, and wild Carrot; Parsnep, Fenil, &c. the Saline Principles being concentred in the Oyly, and both of a moderate quantity with respect to the rest. For by the Oyly, the Saline is rendred more smooth and amicable; and both being moderate, they are not therefore hot, as in some other Umbelliferous Roots; but by the predominion of the other Principles, made mild. Hence it is, that Sugar it self is sweet, scil. because it is an Oleous Salt; as is manifest, from its being highly inflammable; its easie dissolution by a moderate, Fire, without the ad∣dition of Water; and in that, being melted with Turpentine, and other Oily Bodies, it will mix together with them. So also the Acid Parts of Vinegar, being concentred in the Salino-sulphureous of Lead, produce a Sugar. Hence Barley, which upon Distillation or Decoction yeildeth only an acid; being turned into Mault, becomes sweet. Be∣cause, being steeped, couched, and so fermented, the oleous parts are thereby unlocked, and becoming rampant, over the other Principles, altogether produce that Taste. And the Bile it self, which, next to Water and Earth, consisteth most of oily parts, and of many both saline and acid is a bit∣ter-sweet. Wherein, as some of the Saline and Acid parts, smoothed by the Oleous, produce a Sweet: So, some of the Oleous, impregnated with the Saline, and the Acid, doe hereby produce a Bitter.

Notes

• Theology the Beginning and End of Philosophy.
• The Divine Wisdom seen in the Growth of Plants; if we observe,
• First, How the Ground is prepared.
• Then, How the Sap is imbib'd, and distribu∣ted to the se∣veral Parts.
• a

  P. 1. c. 3. §. 3.
• b

  §. 11, 12
• a

  P. 1. c. 2. §. 1.
• b

  P. 1. c. 2. §. 4.
• c

  P. 1. c. 3, §. 4.
• d

  Idea, §. 50, 52.
• e

  Idea, §. 51, 52.
• a

  P. 1. c. 5. §. 12.
• b

  P. 1. c. 5. §. 12.
• c

  P. 1. c. 3. §. 13. &c. 4. §. 4, 5, 7.
• d

  P. 1. c. 3. §. 7, 8.
• a

  P. 1. c. 5. §. 3.
• How the se∣veral Parts are Nou∣rish'd and Form'd.
• b

  §. 21.
• c

  Idea, §. 49, 51.
• a

  §. 21.
• b

  §. 19.
• c

  Lib. 1. c. 7. §. 14.
• d

  P. 2. §. 21.
• e

  Ib.
• a

  P. 1. c. 4. §. 23. & P. 2. §. 24.
• b

  P. 1. c. 4. §. 16.
• c

  §. 19.
• d

  P. 1. c. 3. §. 4.
• e

  P. 1. c. 5. §. 9.
• f

  P. 1. c. 5. §. 12.
• How the se∣veral Parts come to be Situate or Dispos'd.
• a

  Lib. 1. c. 2. §. 25. & c. 4. Append. §. 2, 3.
• b

  P. 1. c. 4. §. 10.
• Tab. 7, 8, 9.
• Tab. 7, 8, 9, &c.
• c

  P. 1. c. 5. §. 1.
• d

  Ib. §. 4.
• Tab. 2, & 6.
• e

  P. 1. c. 3. §. 16.
• Tab. 6.
• a

  P. 1. c. 5. §. 12.
• Tab. 6.
• Tab. 6.
• How the whole Root is differently sized and shaped▪
• b

  P. 2. §. 31.
• Tab. 2, & 7.
• Tab. 7, & 8.
• Tab. 2, & 17.
• Tab. 7, 8.
• Tab. 2, & 7.
• a

  P. 1. c. 5. §. 12.
• Tab. 6.
• b

  P. 1. c. 1. §. 2, 3. Tab. 11.
• c

  P. 1. c. 4. §. 15.
• Tab. 6.
• How Roots are dissently Mov'd.
• Tab. 8.
• a

  P. 1. c. 1. §. 15.
• b

  P. 2. §. 36.
• Tab. 7, 8.
• c

  P. 1. c. 1. §. 9.
• d

  P. 2. §. 49.
• Tab. 7.
• e

  P. 1. c. 1. §. 10. Lib. 1. c. 2. §. 25, and 4. Append. §. 10. P. 2. §. 36.
• Tab. 2.
• How Roots are different∣ly Aged.
• f

  P. 2. §. 21.
• a

  P. 1. c. 1. §. 13, 16. & P. 2. §. 28.
• Tab. 9.
• b

  P. 2. §. 25, 26.
• How the Contents of the several Parts are made.
• c

  Id••a, §. 54.
• d

  P. 2. §. 19.
• a

  P. 2. §. 21.
• b

  P. 2. §. 24.
• c

  P. 2. §. 25, & 56.
• a

  Tab. 9. & 16.
• How the O∣dours of Plants are made.
• b

  P. 2. §. 24.
• How their Colours.
• c

  P. 1. c. 2. §. 2, 4.
• a

  P. 2. §. 21.
• b

  P. 2. §. 20.
• c

  P. ••. §. 13.
• How their Tastes.
• a

  P. 2. §. 21.
• Tab. 13.