Part 7

In a _Nut_ (to which an _Achorn_ is analogous) there are three general Parts, the _Cap_, _Shell_ and _Pith_. The _Cap_ is constituted of a _Pill_ and _Parenchyma_ derived from the _Barque_, and _Ramulets_ from the _Lignous Body_ of the _Branch_. The _Shell_ likewise is not one simple Body, but compounded. The Superficial Part thereof is originated from the _Pill_ or _Skin_ of the _Cap_, from the inside whereof it is in a Duplicature produc’d and spred over the _shell_: which, if you look at the _Basis_ of the _shell_, is farther evident; for that being continuous with the _Parenchyma_ of the _Cap_, without the interposure of the _Skin_, the said superficial Part is there wanting. The thicker and inner part of the _shell_ consisteth of the same _Parenchyma_ as that of the _Cap_, with a _congeries_ of _Precipitations_ filled up, as in a Stone. And as the _Lignous Body_ is branched in a Stone, so, with some difference, in a Shell. The _Outer Branches_ or _Ramulets_ are numerous, each issuing out of the _Parenchyma_ of the _cap_, and entring the _Shell_ at the Circumference of its _Basis_ and so running betwixt its superficial and inner parts towards its _cone_, in a Round. The _Inner_ or _Seed-Branch_ is single, entering in, as do the other, at the _Basis_ of the _shell_, but at the _center_ thereof; from whence it runs, not through the _Shell_, as in _Plums_ through the _Stone_; but through the _Pith_, as far as the _cone_, where the Coats of the _Seed_ hang appendent to it. The _Pith_, whether derived from the same part both in name and nature in the _Branch_ and _Stalk_, or from the _Cortical Body_, I yet determine not.

A _Berry_, as a _Gooseberry_ (to which _Currans_, _Grapes_, _Hipps_, &c. are to be referr’d) consisteth, besides the _Seed_, of the three general Parts, _Pill_, _Parenchyma_ and _Branchery_: The _Pill_ is originated as in the foregoing Fruits. The _Parenchyma_ is double, as likewise in some other _Berries_: The _outer_ is commonly, together with the _Pill_, call’d the _Skin_, and is that part we spit out, being of a soure taste. As the _Pill_ is originated from the _outer_, so this from the _inner part_ of the _Barque_; and accordingly the Pores thereof may be observed plainly of a like shape with those both of the _Cortical Body_ and _Pith_. The _inner_ is of a sweet taste, and is the part we eat: It is of a constitution so laxe and tender, as it would seem to be only a thicker or jellied Juice; although this likewise be a true _Parenchyma_, something like that of an _Orange_ or _Limon_, with its Pores all fill’d up with Liquor. The _Branchery_ is likewise double: The _Exterior_ runs betwixt the _Pill_ and outer _Parenchyma_ in arched Lines, from the _Stalk_ to the _Stool_ of the _Flower_. These outer Branches, though of various number at the _Stalk_, yet at the _Cork_ are usually ten principal ones; five for the five Leaves of the _Flower_, and five for the _Chives_. The inner main Branches are two, diametrically opposite to each other, and at the _Cork_ with the other inosculated. From these two are branched other smaller, every one having a _Seed_ appendent to it, whose Coats it entreth by a double Filament, one at the _Basis_, the other at the _Cone_. They are all very white and turgent; and by a slaunt cut, may be observ’d concave; thus representing themselves analogous to so many true _spermatick Vessels_.

The Uses of _Fruits_ are for _Man_, (sometimes also other _Animals_, as are _Akerns_ and _Haws_) and for the _Seed_. For Man, they are so variously desirable, that till our Orchards and Store-Chambers, _Confectioners_ Stores and _Apothecaries_ Shops, our Ladies Closets, their Tables or Hands are empty of them, I shall not need to enquire for what. If it be asked, how the Fruit becomes, generally above all the other Parts, so pleasant a Meat? It is partly from the _Sap_, the grosser portion thereof being deposited in the Leaves, and so the purer hereunto reserved; partly from the Globular Figure of the Fruit; for the _Sap_ being thus in a greater quantity herein, and in all parts equally diffus’d, the Concoction hereof is with greatest advantage favoured and promoted. Wherefore all Fruits which we eat raw, how small soever, are of a Globular form, or thereunto approaching; and the nearer, the delicater; amongst _apples_, the _Peppin_; amongst _Pears_, the _Burgundian_; and amongst all Fruits, the _Grape_; and amongst _Grapes_, the roundest, are of all the most dainty.

The visible cause of this Globular Figure, is the _Flower_; or the Inosculation of all the main Branches at the _Stool_ of the _Flower_; and upon the fall of the _Flower_, the obtuseness, and with Wind and Sun, as it were the searing of their several ends: For thus the _Sap_ entring the _Fruit_, being not able to effect, either a Disunion, or a shooting forth of the said Branches, and so to carry on their growth in length; they must thus of necessity be enarch’d, and with the _Parenchyma_ more and more expand themselves. Whereas were they dispos’d and qualified otherwise, than as is said, instead of forming a Fruit within bounds, they would run out into all extravagance, and even into another little Tree or Leafy growth.

To the _Seed_, the _Fruit_ is serviceable; First, in order to its being supply’d with a due and most convenient _Sap_, the greater and less elaborated part thereof being, in its passage towards the _Seed_, thereinto received; the _Fruit_ doing the same office to the _Seed_, which the _Leaves_ do to the _Fruit_; the _Sap_ in the _Fruit_ being in a laxe comparison, as the _Wine_; and that for the _Seed_, a small part of the highest Spirit rectified from it.

So likewise for its Protection, in order to the prosperous carrying on and perfecting of its generation, and security being perfected. Which protection it gives not only to the Seminal _Sap_ and _Seed_ it self; but alwaies also to its _Seed-Branch_. Thus we see an _Apple_, besides that it is it self of ample compass, for the sake of its _Seed_, hath likewise its _coar_; as if it were not sufficient, that the Walls of their Room are so very thick, unless also wainscotted. In a _Pear_ again, where the _Parenchyma_ is of less compass than that of an _Apple_, to what protection this affords, that of the _Calculary_ is super-added. But in a _Plum_, where the _Parenchyma_ is exceeding tender, and in a _Peach_, which hangs late, and till Autumn Frosts approach, we have not only the Rubbish of a _Calculary_ but stout Stone-Walls. Within which also, not only the _Seed_ it self; but the _Seed-Branch_ is evermore immur’d. Lastly, in a _Nut_, where the _shell_ being not surrounded with a _Parenchyma_, that protection is wanting without, ’tis answer’d by an ample _Pith_ within it; and the _seed-Branch_ likewise included, not meerly in the Body of the Shell, as in a _Plum_, but within the _pith_ it self. So necessary is this design that what the Hen by Incubation or Hovering, is to the Egg or Chick; that the whole _Fruit_, by comprehension, is to the _Seed_.

CHAP. VII.

_Of the Seed._

As the Original, so the ultimate end & Perfection of _Vegetation_ is the _Seed_. How it is the former, and in its state apt for _Vegetation_, hath already been seen. How the latter, and in its state of Generation, we shall now lastly enquire. In doing which, what in the other state was either not distinctly existent, or not so apparent, or not so intelligible, will occur.

The two general Parts of the _Seed_ are its _Covers_ and _Body_. The _Covers_ in this estate are usually four; the outmost we may call the _Case_: ’Tis of a very various form; sometimes a _Pouch_, as in _Nasturtium_, _Cochlearia_; a _Cod_, as in all _Pulse_, _Galega_; sometimes not entire, but parted, or otherwise open, as in _Sorrel_, _Knotgrass_, with many other forms; I think alwaies more heterogeneous to that of the _Seed_, by which it differs from the proper Coats. To this the Caps of _Nuts_, and the _Parenchyma’s_ of Fruits are analogous.

The two next are properly the Coats: In a _Bean_ especially, and the like; from whence to avoyd Confusion, the denomination may run common to the responding Covers of other _Seeds_. The Colour of the outer is of all degrees, from White to the Blackness of _Jett_: Its Figure sometimes Kidney’d, as in _Alcea_, _Behen_, _Poppy_; triangular, as in _Polygonatum_, _Sorrel_; triangular spherical, in _Mentha_, _Melissa_; circular, in _Leucoium_, _Amaranthus_; globular, in _Napus_, _Asperula_; oval, in _Speculum Veneris_, _Tithymalus_; half Globe, in _Coriander_; that which we take for one single round _Seed_, being a Conjugation of two; half Oval, in _Anise_, _Fennel_; Hastal, in _Lactuca_; Cylindrical, as, if I mistake not, in _Jacobæa_, Pyramidal, in _Geranium_, _Althææ Fol._ with many other differences: But the Perfection of one or two of the said Figures lieth in the _Case_: So that as all Lines and Proportions are in the _Flower_, so all Regular Figures in the _Seed_, or rather in its _Covers_.

’Tis sometimes glistering, as in _Speculum Veneris_; Rough-cast, in _Catanance_; Studded, in _Behen_, _Blattaria_; Favous, in _Papaver_, _Antirrhinum_, _Lepidium annuum_, _Alcea Vesicaria_, _Hyosciamus_, and many more, before the _Seeds_ have lain long by; Pounced, in _Phalangium Cretæ_, _Lithospermum_; Ramified, in _Pentaphyllum fragiferum_, _Erectum majus_, resembling the Fibres of the Ears of the Heart; some just _Quinquenerval_, as in _Anisum_, and many more, the _Lignous Body_ being in five main Fibres branched therein.

The Covers of not only _Quince_-Seeds, and those of _Psyllium_ (more usually taken notice of) but those also of _Horminum_, _Nasturtium_, _Eruca_, _Camelina_, _Ocymum_, and divers others, have a _Mucilage_; which, though it be not visible when the Seeds are throughly dry; yet lying a while in some warm Liquor, or only on the Tongue, it swells more or less, and upon them all fairly shews it self. On that of _Ocymum_ it appears grayish; on the other, transparent; and on that of _Nasturtium Hortense_ very large; even emulous of the inner Pulp surrounding a _Gooseberry-seed_. The putting of _Clary-seed_ into the Eye, may have been brought into use from this _Mucilage_, by which alone it may become Medicinal. And thus far of the _Superficies_.

The nature of the outer Coat is various, _Membranous_, _Cartilaginous_ and _Stony_; the like _Precipitations_ being sometimes made herein, as in a Stone or Shell; as in that of the Seeds of _Carthamum_, _Lithospermum_, and others. The Designment hereof, being either with respect to the _Seed_ in its state of Generation; as where the Case is either wanting, or at least insufficient of it self, there for its due protection and warmth; or, in its state of _Vegetation_, for the better Fermenting of its Tinctures and _Sap_; the Fermentations of some _Seeds_ not well proceeding, unless they lie in their Stony Casks in the Mould, like Bottled Liquors in Sand.

All _Seeds_ have their outer Covers open; either by a particular _Foramen_, as in _Beans_, and other _Pulse_, as is said; or by the breaking off of the _Seed_ from its _Peduncle_ or _Stool_, as in those in _Cucumber_, _Cycory_; or by the entering and passage of a _Branch_ or _Branches_, not only into the Concave thereof near the Cone, but also through the Cone it self; as in _Shells_ and _Stones_.

For the sake of this _aperture_ it is, that _Akerns_, _Nuts_, _Beans_, _Cucumbers_, and most other _Seeds_, are in their formation so placed, that the _Radicle_ still standeth next to it; that, upon _Vegetation_, it may have a free and ready passage into the Mould.

The Original of the outer Coat, though from Parts of the same substantial nature, yet is differently made. In a _Plum_, the _Seed-Branch_ which runs, as is described, through the Stone, is not naked, but, as is said, invested with a thin _Parenchyma_, which it carries from the Stalk along with it; and which, by the _Ramification_ of the said _Branch_ within the Stone, is in part dilated into a Coat. That of a _Bean_ is from the _Parenchyma_ of the Cod; the superficial part of which _Parenchyma_, upon the large _peduncle_ of the _Bean_ becoming a thin Cuticle, and upon the _Bean_ it self a _cartilaginous_ Coat.

The Original of the inner Coat of the _Bean_ is likewise from the inner part of the said _parenchyma_; which first is spred into a long Cake, or that which with the _seed-Branch_ maketh the _peduncle_ of the _Bean_; under which Cake, there is usually a black part or spot; by the length of which, the inner part of the Cake is next inserted into the outer Coat, and spred all over the Concave thereof.

This inner Coat, though when the _Seed_ is grown old and dry, ’tis shrunk up, and in most Seeds so far as scarcely to be discern’d; yet in its first and juvenile Constitution, is a very Spongy and Sappy Body; and is then likewise (as the _Womb_ in a pregnant Animal) in proportion very thick and bulky; in a _Bean_, even as one of the _Lobes_ it self: And in a _Plum_ or _apricot_, I think I may safely say, half an hundred times thicker than afterwards, when it is dried and shrunk up; and can scarcely be distinguished from the upper Coat. Upon which Accounts it is, in this estate, a true and fair _Parenchyma_.

In this Inner Coat in a _Bean_, the _Lignous Body_ or _Seed-Branch_ is distributed: Sometimes, as in _French-Beans_, throughout the whole Coat; as it is in a Leaf: In the Great _Garden-Bean_, upon its first entrance, it is bipartite, and so in small Branches runs along the Circumference of the Coat, all meeting and making a kind of Reticulation against the Belly of the _Bean_. In the same manner the main Branches in the outer Coat of a _Kernel_, circling themselves on both hands from the place of their first entrance, at last meet, and mutually inosculate.

So that all the Parts of a _Vegetable_, the _Root_, _Trunk_, _Branch_, _Leaf_, _Flower_, _Fruit_ and _Seed_, are still made up of two substantially different Bodies.

And as every Part hath two, so the whole _Vegetable_ taken together, is a composition of two only, and no more: All properly Woody Parts, Strings and Fibres, are one Body: All simple _Barques_, _Piths_, _Parenchyma’s_ and _Pulps_, and as to their substantial Nature, _Pills_ and _Skins_ likewise, all but one Body: the several Parts of a _Vegetable_ all differing from each other, only by the various Proportions and Mixtures, and variously sized Pores of these two Bodies. What from these two general Observations might reasonably be inferr’d, I shall not now mention.

The fourth and innermost Cover we may call the _Secondine_; the sight whereof, by cutting off the Coats of an _Infant-Bean_, at the Cone thereof in very thin Slices, and with great Caution, may be obtain’d. While unbroken, ’tis transparent; being torn and taken off, it gathers up into the likeness of a Jelly, or that we call the _Tredle_ of an Egg, when over-boyl’d. This _Membrane_ in larger or elder _Beans_, is not to be found distinct; but becomes as it were the Lining of the inner Coat: But (as far as our Enquiries yet discover) it may in most other _Seeds_, even full grown, be distinctly seen; as in those of _Cucumber_, _Colocynthis_, _Burdock_, _Carthamum_, _Gromwel_, _Endive_, _Mallows_, &c. ’Tis usually so very thin, as in the above-nam’d, as very difficultly to be discover’d. In some _Kernels_, as of _Apricots_, ’tis very thick; and in some other Seeds. That all these have the Analogy of one and the same Cover, which I call the _Secondine_, is most probably argu’d from their alike Natures; being all of them plain simple _Membranes_, with not the least Fibre of the _Lignous Body_ or _Seed Branch_, visibly distributed in them; as also from their Contexture, which is in all of them more close.

The Concave of this _Membrane_ is filled with a most transparent Liquor, out of which the Seed is formed; as in cutting a _petite_ and _Infant-Bean_, may be seen; and yet better in a young _Walnut_. In _Beans_ I have observed it to turn, upon boyling, into a tender white _coagulum_.

Through this _Membrane_, the _Lignous Body_ or _Seed-Branches_ distributed in the inner Coat, at last shoot downright two slender Fibres, like two Navles, one into each _Lobe_ of the _Bean_. The places where the said Fibres shoot into the _Lobes_, are near the _Basis_ of the _Radicle_; and by their Blackishness well enough remark’d: but the Fibres themselves are so very small, as scarcely to be discern’d: Yet in a _Lupine_, of the larger kind, both the places where the Navel-Fibres shoot into the _Lobes_ (which here from the _Basis_ of the _Radicle_ is more remote) and the Fibres themselves, are fairly visible. For the _Seed-Branch_, upon its entrance into the Coat of the _Lupine_, is presently divided into two _main Branches_, and those two into other less; whereof some underly, others aloft, run along the Coat, and towards its other end meet and are inosculated; where about two opposite, shallow, round, and most minute Cavities, answerable to two Specks of a _cartilaginous_ gloss, one in either _Lobe_, may be observed, which Specks are the ends of the said _Navel-Fibres_, upon the ripening of the _Seed_ there broken off. These Fibres, from the Superficies of each _Lobe_, descend a little way directly down; presently, each is divided into two Branches, one distributed into the _Lobes_, the other into the _Radicle_ & _Plume_, in the manner as in the first Chapter is describ’d. And thus far the History. I shall now only with a brief account of the _Generation_ of the _Seed_, as hereupon dependent, conclude this Discourse.

Let us say then, that the _Sap_ having in the _Root_, _Trunk_, and _Leaves_, passed divers Concoctions and Separations, in the manner as they are said to be perform’d therein; ’tis now at last, in some good maturity, advanced towards the _Seed_.

The more copious and cruder part hereof is again seperated by a free reception into the _Fruit_, or other Part analogous to it: being either sufficiently ample to contain it, or at least laxe enough for its transpiration, and so its due discharge. The more Essential part is into the _Seed-Branch_ or Branches entertain’d; which, because they are evermore of a very considerable length, and of a Constitution very fine, the said _Sap_ thus becomes in its Current therein, as in the _Spermatick Vessels_, still more mature.

In this mature estate, from the _seed-Branch_ into the Coats of the _seed_, as into the Womb, ’tis next delivered up. The meaner Part hereof again, to the outer, as _aliment_ good enough, is supplied. The finer part is transmitted to the Inner; which, being, as is said, a _Parenchymous_ and more spatious Body, the _Sap_ therefore is not herein, as in the outer, a meer _aliment_; but in order to its being, by Fermentation, farther prepared.

Yet the outer Coat, being on the contrary hard and dense; for that reason, as it admitteth not the Fermentation of the _Sap_ so well within it self; so doth it the more promote and favour it in the Inner, being Bounds both to it and its _Sap_; and also quickneth the process of the whole Work in the formation of the _Seed_.

Nor doth the outer Coat, for the same reason, more promote than declare the purity of the _Sap_ now contained in the Inner: For being more hard and dense, and so not perspirable, must needs suppose the Parts of the _Sap_ encompassed by it, since thus uncapable of any evacuation, to be therefore all, so choice, as not to need it.

The _Sap_ being thus prepared in the inner Coat, as a Liquor now apt to be the _Substratum_ of the future _Seed-Embrio_, by fresh supplies, is thence discharged; yet that it may not be over-copious; which, because of the laxity of the Inner Coat from whence it issues, it might easily be; therefore as the said inner Coat is bounded without by the upper Coat, so by the _Secondine_ or _Membrane_ is it bounded within; through which _Membrane_ the _Sap_ being filtr’d, or, as it were, transpiring, the depositure hereof, answerable to the _Colliquamentum_ in an Egg, or to the _semen Mulibre_, into its Concave at last is made.

The other Part of the purest _sap_ embosom’d in the Ramulets of the _seed-Branch_, runs a Circle, or some progress therein; and so becomes, as the _Semen Masculinum_, yet more elaborate.

Wherein also, lest its Current should be too copious or precipitate, by their co-arcture and divarication where they are inosculated, it is retarded; the noblest portion only obtaining a pass.

With this purest _sap_, the said _Ramulets_ being supplied, from thence at last, the _Navel-Fibres_ shoot (as the privitive _Artery_ into the _Colliquamentum_) through the _Secondine_ into the aforesaid Liquor deposited therein.

Into which Liquor, being now shot, and its own proper Sap or Tinctures mixed therewith, it strikes it thus into a _Coagulum_; or, of a Liquor, it becomes a Body consistent and truly _Parenchymous_; and the supply of the said Liquor still continu’d, and the shooting of the Navel-Fibres, as is above described, still carried on, and therewith the said _Coagulation_ or _Fixation_ likewise.

And in the Interim of the _Coagulation_, a gentle _Fermentation_ being also made, the said _Parenchyma_ or _Coagulum_ becometh such, not of any Constitution indifferently, but is thus raised (as we see Bread in Baking) into a _Congeries_ of _Fixed Bubbles_: For such is the _Parenchyma_ of the whole Seed.

FINIS.

THE EXPLICATION OF THE FIGURES.

_Fig. 1._

_Sheweth a ~Bean~ with the two ~Lobes~ laid open somewhat wider than the Parts, without a Rupture, will well bear, for the better sight of that Part which lieth between them._

_aaaa_ The two Lobes.

_AA_ Their contiguous Flats.

_b_ The Radicle.

_c_ The Plume.

_dd_ One of the Cavities wherein the Plume lieth.

_Fig. 2._

_aaaa_ The _Parenchyma_.

_eeee_ The _seminal Root_ distributed throughout the _Parenchyma_ of either _Lobe_.

_b_ The _Radicle_, with the _seminal Root_ running through it in one Trunk to the Point thereof.

_c_ The _Plume_, with the Distributions of its _Inner Body_ continued from the _seminal Root_ of either _Lobe_.

_xx_ The oblique _Insertion_ of the two grand Branches of the _Lobes_ into the Trunk of the _Radicle_.

_Fig. 3._

_The ~Lobe~ of a ~Bean~ cut athwart._

_aaa_ The convex or external part thereof.

_bbb_ The concave side out of sight.

_cccc_ The Extremities of the Branches of the _seminal Root_, as they appear like so many small Specks in the traverse Cut.

_Fig. 4._

_The Plume cut athwart._

The black Specks represent the Branches of the _seminal Body_ thereinto inserted, or therein distributed.

_Fig. 5._

_aaaa_ A _Lobe_ of a _Gourd-seed_.

_cccc_ The greater Branches.

_ee_ The Sub-divisions and Inosculations of the lesser.

_Fig. 5. 00._

_AA_ A great white _Lupine_.

_aa_ The _Navel-Fibres_ which strike from the Ramulets of the _Seed-Branch_, into the _Lobes_.

_ab_ The production of the _Navel-Fibre_ into the _Radicle_ (_b._)

_c_ The _Plume_.

_bc_ The _Pith_.

_aeeee_ The distribution of the _Navel-Fibre_ in the _Lobes_; all becoming the _seminal Root_, describ’d in the first Chapter.

_Fig. 6._

_aaaa_ A Slice of the Root of a Tree.

_cccc_ The _Cortical Body_ or _Barque_.

_e_ The _Pith_.

The black Pieces are the Shootings of the _Lignous Body_.

The Specks therein are its _Pores_.

The White Pieces are the _Insertions_ of the _Cortical Body_.

_Fig. 7._

_Sheweth the Root of ~Berbery~ in the Traverse Cut._

_aaa_ The _Cortical Body_ or _Barque_.

The white Lines are the _Insertions_.

The Black Specks are the Pores of the _Lignous Body_.

_Fig. 8._

_aaaa_ The _Cortical Body_ as appearing in a _Turnep_ cut athwart.