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 ...

CHAP. IV. Of the FOETUS or true SEED: and first of the RADICLE and LOBES.

HAVING discoursed of the Covers, I come next to the Seed or Foetus it self. Of the Shape and Po∣sture whereof, I shall give some Examples, first, a∣mong those with the thinner sort of Covers; and then, of those with the Bulky one: where I shall speak only of the Lobes, or Main Body, and the Radicle. Next, I shall describe the several sorts of Nodes or Buds of Seeds. And lastly, the several Parts, of which the Lobes, Radicle, and Buds are compounded.

2. §. Among Seeds with the Thinner Covers, are those of all sorts of Corn and Grass▪ Of a different make, from that of most other Seeds: The Main Body being not divided into Lobes, but one entire Piece, doubled in the form of a Pair of Lipps. And whereas commonly, the whole Seed is very Soft and Oyly; here, only those two minute Parts, which become the Root and Stalk, are so: The Main Body being of a different Substance; when the Corn is ripe, hard and friable; but when it is sown, easily colliquable into a kind of Milk or Chyle, so that, in some respects, it hath a near Analogy to a Vitellum. For as that is gradually melted into a sort of Chyle, and by the Branches of the Du∣ctus Intestinalis carryed into the Bowels of the Chick: So is this, into a like Substance, and by the Branches of the Seminal Root (formerly describ'd) conveyed to those Parts,* 1.1 which become the future Plant.

3. §. Of Relation to this Kind, the Seeds of Dates, and of some other like Plants, may be esteem'd. For that which is commonly cal∣led the Stone, seems indeed to be the Main Body of the Seed, doubled or folded up in the same manner as in Corn. To which that Part which becomes the Plant,* 1.2 is annexed. But whereas in Corn, 'tis placed at

the Bottom of the Main Body; here it lies in a small round Cavity in the middle of the Back. The Stone, or Main Body, where this Part grows to it, is not so hard, as more remote from it: and is therefore probably in some part dissolved, by lying in the Ground, as in Corn.

4. §. But for the most part, the Main Body is divided, as hath been said, into two Lobes; and those in Substance Homogeneous to the o∣ther Part or Parts,* 1.3 plainly distinguished in most Kernels and other large Seeds; and not difficultly in many lesser ones, as in that of Viola Lunaris, Scabious, Doves-Foot, &c. if slipped out of their Covers be∣fore they are full ripe.

5. §. In Hounds-Tongue, they are of a circular figure, and very large in Proportion to the Radicle. In Cucumer, oblong, with some visible Branches of the Seminal Root; and the Radicle somewhat bigger. But in Scorzonera,* 1.4 very long, like the Leggs of a Pair of Compasses: and the two first, or dissimular Leavs of the Plant into which they are converted, are of the same Shape. Of these and many more, the Radicle is short and pointed; and lies in one straight Line with the Lobes.

6. §. In Viola Lunaria, they are very large; and the Branches of the Seminal Root, fairly apparent, so as to resemble a Pair of Leavs. The Radicle pretty long, equally thick from end to end, and couched down upon the two Lobes,* 1.5 each of them having a little Shoulder for it to lie upon. In Woad, where it hath the like Posture and Shape, as also in Chamaelina, Eruca, and many others, it is very Bulky, being bigger than both the Lobes put together.

7. §. Of this Part, I think it may be observed, That commonly those Seeds, wherein it is very small with respect to the Lobes, produce a Perennial Plant: And so, vice versa, where it is very large, an Annual one. In the latter, the Seminal Virtue being more vigorous, and so tending more hastily to the Business of Generation, followed with the Death of the Plant.

8. §. IN THE former Seeds, the Lobes lie flat one against another. But in Garden-Radish,* 1.6 they are folded up, so as to receive the Radi∣cle into their Bosome: as when a Chicken tucks his Head under his Wing.

9. §. In Holyoak,* 1.7 the Lobes are plated upwards, and re-plated down again. Being most agreeably composed to the Shape of the Covers, as those are to their Posture on the Plant. In Maple, they are plated one over another, and so rouled up.

10. §. In the Cotton-Seed, which consisteth almost wholly of two very broad and thin Lobes or Leaves,* 1.8 the Folds are yet more numerous; all curiously reduced to an exact and solid Oval.

11. §. It happens now and then, that instead of two, there are three Lobes, as in the Kernels of Plums, Apples, and other Fruits, and the smaller sorts of Seeds, will spring up sometimes with more than two dissimilar Leaves, originally the Lobes of the Seed. These are ob∣served by some, more frequently to produce a double Flower, which may be, because the seminal Virtue in such Seeds, is increased by a third Part.

12. §. IN many Seeds, the Radicle is of one and the same Colour from end to end. But in others, as in the Lupine, it is observable, That the upper and greater hald, is White; the Lower to the Point, hath a kind of Horny Gloss,* 1.9 and seems to be of a somewhat different make. Whereby it comes to pass, that after the Radicle is shot forth a little way, only this lower half descends and becomes the Root: The upper half is produced or raised above ground, as a Pillar upon which the Lobes, or dissimilar Leaves are erected.

13. §. This Seed, on the out side of each Lobe, and near the Ra∣dicle, hath a very small and round Node, like a Navel; whereof, in the first Book:* 1.10 the whole Seed looking not much unlike a Pidgeons Head; the Radicle resembling the Bill, and the Navel the Eye.

14. §. IN the Seed of Garden-Orach,* 1.11 both the Radicle and Lobes are very long and slender, and lie almost in a compleat Circle round about the Vitellum before describ'd. The Lobes of Rhapontick are shaped like the Bitt of a Spade;* 1.12 and the Radicle stands erected above them like the Handle.

15. §. OF SEEDS also with the Bulky Cover, there are many not divided into Lobes; being in a manner, all one Piece; as all of the Bulbous-Kind. In some of which, though the inmost Cover be thin; yet compared either with the other Covers, or with the Seed it self, it may very well be accounted of the Bulky-Kind.

16. §. In Flag, it is above twenty times bigger than the Seed with∣in it. Consisting of Bladders all Radiated towards the Seat of the Seed. The Seed it self is shaped somewhat like a Penknife.* 1.13 The lower Part which becoms the Bulb, as the Haft, is thick, and cometh near to a Cylindrick Figure, and the end, round. The upper Part which becomes the first years Leaf, as the Blade, is rather flat, double edged, and poin∣ted, and the Point a little bent. The Fibers and Bladders of which it consists, are all disposed into Parallel Lines running by the length. In Lily, where this Cover is thinner and more Transparent, without be∣ing cut, but only held up against the Light, the Seed may be seen with∣in it.

17. §. BUT THE greater number of Seeds also with the Bulky Cover, are divided into two Lobes; which, for the most part, resemble a pair of little Leavs. In the Purging Nut of Angola, the Shell being taken off,* 1.14 the upper Covers (dry'd and shrunk up) seem to be but one. In these, the Spermatick Vessels are Branched. Under these, lies the Thick and Inmost Cover; which being cut down the middle, exhibits the true Seed: Consisting of a couple of fair Leavs, Veined, and as white as Milk, joyned together with the Radicle at their Base; and let into a Hollow, made in the Cover, of an answerable shape. The like is observable in the Barbado-Nut, Ricinus Americanus, and some other Indian Fruits; with some little difference in the Shape of the Root and Leavs.

18. §. IN the foregoing Fruits, the Bulky Cover is very soft. But in the Nux Vomica Officinarum,* 1.15 'tis near as hard as a Date-stone. In this, besides the hollow made for the reception of the Seed, or the two Leavs and Root; the Sides are separated or distinct almost to the Edge of the Cover round about, especially towards the Root: So that it may not unaptly be compared to a little Pouch with the Sides clapt together.

19. §. IN this and the Nuts above mentioned, the Seeds are all very large. But in some other Plants, they are extream small, so as to be hardly visible without a Glass;* 1.16 as in Staphisagria, Peony, &c. In Sta∣phisagria, the Thick or Inmost Cover, is commonly a Spherical Triangle, conick towards the Base. At the poynt of which, there is a little Cavi∣ty, in which the Seed, about as big as a small pins head, is lodged. The Root whereof is a little poynted, and the two Lobes rounded at the Top.

20. §. In Peony, the same Cover is Soft, White, and of an Oval Fi∣gure; the part used in Medicine.* 1.17 Usually thought to be the Seed it self. But is near two hundred times biger than the true Seed, which is almost invisible. It lies in a little Cavity near the bottom of the Cover; with a thick and blunt Root, and two poynted Lobes or Leavs.

23. §. IN the Coffee-Berry, the Seed lies in the Inner or Cartilagi∣nous Cover (formerly described) where one would not expect to find it,* 1.18 sc. near the Top or Surface of the Back. The Lobes of the Seed are veined like two very minute Leaves, and joyned to a long Root like a Stalk. The end of which comes just to the bottom of the Cover, ready for its exit into the Ground.

22. §. In Goosgrass, where the Inner Cover is also Cartilaginous or Horney,* 1.19 the Seed is postured in much a like manner, and looks just like a couple of poynted Leavs with a very long Stalk.

23. §. THE Seed of Stramonium, is also inclosed in a Bulky Co∣ver. Which being soaked in warm water, and very warily cut about the edges,* 1.20 with a Rasor, the Seed may be taken out of it entire. Shaped like that of Orach, but much longer. For the Reception whereof, the Cover is formed with a hollow, which runs round about it near the Edge; where in the Seed lies like a little winding Snake.

Notes

• * 1.1

  B. 1. Ch. 1.
• * 1.2

  Tab. 75.
• * 1.3

  Tab. 75.
• * 1.4

  Tab. 75.
• * 1.5

  Tab. 75.
• * 1.6

  Tab. 75.
• * 1.7

  Tab. 75.
• * 1.8

  Tab. 75.
• * 1.9

  Tab. 75.
• * 1.10

  Ch. 7.
• * 1.11

  Tab. 75.
• * 1.12

  Ch. 3.
• * 1.13

  Tab. 76.
• * 1.14

  Tab. 76.
• * 1.15

  Tab. 76.
• * 1.16

  Tab. 77.
• * 1.17

  Tab. 77.
• * 1.18

  Ch. 3. Tab. 77.
• * 1.19

  Tab. 77.
• * 1.20

  Tab. 77.