Being to speak of Vegetables; and, as far as Inspection and consequent Reason may conduct, to enquire into the visible Constitutions and Uses of their several Parts; I chuse that Method which may with best advantage suit to what we have to say hereon: And that is the Method of Nature her self, in her continued Series of Vegetations, proceeding from the Seed sown, to the formation of the Root, Trunk, Branch, Leaf, Flower, Fruit, and last of all, of the Seed also to be sown again; all which we shall in the same order particularly speak of.

The Essential Constitutions of the said Parts are in all Vegetables the same: But for Observation, some are more convenient; in which I shall chiefly instance. And first of all, for the Seed we chuse the great Garden-Bean.

If we take a Bean then and dissect it, we shall find it cloathed with a double Vest or Coat: These Coats, while the Bean is yet green, are separable, and easily distinguished. When ’tis dry, they cleave so closely together, that the Eye, not before instructed, will judge them but one; the inner Coat likewise (which is of the most rare contexture) so far shrinking up, as to seem only the roughness of the outer, somewhat resembling Wafers under Maquaroons.

At the thicker end of the Bean, in the outer Coat, a very small Foramen presents it self: In dissection ’tis found to terminate against the point of that part which I call the Radicle, whereof I shall presently speak. It is of that capacity as to admit a small Virginal Wyer, and is most conspicuous in a green Bean.

This Foramen may be observed not only in the great Garden-Bean, but likewise in the other kinds; in the French-Bean very plainly; in Pease, Lupines, Vetches, Lentiles, and other Pulse ’tis also found; and in many Seeds not reckoned of this kindred, as in that of Foenugreek, Medica Tornata, Goats-Rue, and others: In many of which, ’tis so very small, as scarcely, without the help of Glasses to be discovered; and in some, not without cutting off part of the Seed besides, which otherwise would intercept the sight hereof; it being in these and such like Seeds, from the place of the breaking off of the Peduncle perfectly distinct.

We may then observe, that all Seeds which have thick or hard Coats, have the same likewise perforated, in this, or some other manner. And accordingly, although the Coats of such Seeds as are lodg’d in Shells or Stones, being thin, are not visibly perforated; yet the Stones and Shells themselves always are; as Chap. 7. shall be seen how. To which Chapter, what is farther observable, either as to the nature, or number of the covers of the Seed, I also refer.

The Coats of the Bean being stripp’d off the proper Seed shews it self. The parts whereof it is constituted, are three; sc. the main Body, and two other appendant to it, which we may call the three Organical parts of the Bean.

The main Body is not one entire piece, but alwaies divided lengthwise into two halves or Lobes, which are both joyn’d together at the Basis of the Bean. These Lobes in dry Beans, are but difficultly separated or observ’d; but in young ones, especially boil’d, they easily slip asunder. See Fig. 1.

Some very few Seeds are divided, not into two Lobes, but more; as that of Cresses; and some not at all divided, but entire; as Corn: Excepting which few, all other Seeds, even the smallest are divided, like as the Bean, into just two Lobes: whereof though in most Seeds we cannot by dissection be inform’d; yet otherwise we easily may as shall be seen.

At the Basis of the Bean, the two other Organical parts stand appendent; by mediation whereof the two Lobes meet and join together. The greater of these two parts stands without the two Lobes, and upon divesting the Bean of its Coats, is immediately visible. ’Tis of a whiter colour, and more glossie than the main Body, especially when the Bean is young. In the Bean, and many other Seeds, tis situated somewhat above the thicker end, as you hold the Bean in its most proper posture for growth. In Oak-Kernels, which we call Acorns, Apple-Kernels, Almonds, and many other Seeds, it stands prominent just from the end; the Basis and the end being in these the same, but in the Bean divers. See Fig. 1.

This part is not only in the Bean, and the Seeds above mentioned; but in all others: being that which upon the Vegetation of the Seed, becomes the Root of the Plant; which therefore I call the Radicle: by which, I mean the Materials, abating the Formality, of a Root, ’Tis not easie to be observed, saving in some few Seeds, amongst which, that of the Bean is the most fair and ample of all I have seen; but that of some other Seeds, is, in proportion, greater; as of Foenugreek, which is almost as big as one of its Lobes.

The lesser of the two laid Appendents lies occult between the two Lobes of the Bean, by separation whereof only it is to be seen. ’Tis enclos’d in two small Cavities form’d in the Lobes for its reception. Its colour comes near that of the Radicle; and is founded upon the Basis thereof having a quite contrary production, sc. towards the cone of the Bean; and being that very part, which, in process, becomes the Body or Trunk of the Vegetable. See Fig. 1.

For the sake of this Part principally it is, that the Bean is divided into Lobes; sc. that it may be warmly and safely lodged up between them; and so secur’d from the Injuries so tender a Part would sustain from the Mould, whereto, had the Main Body been entire, it must upon the Sprouting of the Bean have lain contiguous.

This Part is not, like the Radicle, an entire Body, but divided at its loose end into divers pieces, all very close set together, as Feathers in a Bunch; for which reason it may be called the Plume. They are so close, that only two or three of the outmost are at first seen: but upon a nice and curious separation of these, the more interiour still may be discovered. Now as the Plume is that Part which becomes the Trunk of the Plant, so these pieces are so many true, and already formed, though not displayed, Leaves, intended for the said Trunk, and foulded up in the same plicature, wherein, upon the sprouting of the Bean, they afterwards appear. In a French Bean the two outmost are very fair and elegant. In the great Garden-Bean, two extraordinary small Plumes, often, if not always, stand one on either side the great one now describ’d: From which, in that they differ in nothing save in their size, I therefore only here just take notice of them. And these three Parts, sc. the Main Body, the Radicle, and the Plume, are concurrent to the making up of every Seed; and no more than these.

Having thus taken a view of the Organical Parts of the Bean, let us next examine the Similary, sc. those whereof the Organical are compos’d: a distinct observation of which, for a clear understanding of the Vegetation of the Seed, and of the whole Plant arising thence, is requisite: To obtain which, we must proceed in our Anatomy.

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

This Part, though it be so far common with the Coats of the Bean, as to be like those, an Integument; yet are we in a quite different Notion to conceive of it: For whereas the Coats upon setting the Bean, do only administer the Sap, and, as being superseded from their Office, then die; as shall be seen: this, on the contrary, with the Organical Parts of the Bean, is nourished, augmented, and by a real Vegetation co-extended.

Next to the Cuticle, we come to the Parenchyma it self; the Part throughout which the inner Body, whereof we shall speak anon, is disseminated; for which reason I call it the Parenchyma. The Surface hereof is somewhat dense, but inwardly ’tis more porous, and of a laxer Contexture. If you view it in a Microscope, it hath some similitude to the Pith, while sappy, in the Roots and Trunks of Plants; and that for good reason, as in Ch. 2. shall be seen. This is best seen in green Beans. See Fig. 2.

This Part would seem by its colour to be peculiar to the Lobes of the Bean; but as is the Cuticle, so is this also, common both to the Radicle and Plume; that is, the Parenchyma of the Bean, as to its essential substance, is the same in all three. The reason why the colour of the Plume, and especially of the Radicle, which is white, is so different from that of the Lobes, may chiefly depend upon their being more compact and dense, and thence their different Tinctures. And therefore the Lobes themselves, which are green while the Bean is young; yet being old and dry, become whitish too. And in many other Seeds, as Acorns, Almonds, the Kernels of Apples, Plums, Nuts, &c. the Lobes, even fresh and young, are pure white as the Radicle it self.

But although the Parenchyma be common, as is said, to all the Organical Parts; yet in very differing proportions. In the Plume, where it is proportionably least, it maketh about three Fifths of the whole Plume; in the Radicle, it maketh about five Seavenths of the whole Radicle; and in each Lobe, is so far over-proportionate, as to make at least nine Tenths of the whole Lobe.

By what hath been said, that the Parenchyma is not the only constituting Part, besides the Cuticle, is imply’d: there being another Body, of an essentially different substance, embosom’d herein: which may be found, not only in the Radicle and Plume, but also in the Lobes themselves, and so in the whole Bean. See Fig. 2.

This inner Body appears most plain and conspicuous in cutting the Radicle athwart, and so proceeding by degrees towards the Plume, through both which it runneth in a large and straight Trunk. In the Lobes, being it is there in so very small proportion, ’tis difficultly seen, especially towards their Verges: yet if with a sharp Knife you smoothly cut the Lobes of the Bean athwart, divers small Specks, of a different colour from that of the Parenchyma, standing therein all along in a Line, may be observ’d; which Specks are the Terminations of the Branches of this inner Body. See Fig. 3.

For this inner Body, as it is existent in every Organical part of the Bean, so is it, with respect to each part, most regularly distributed. In a good part of the Radicle ’tis one entire Trunk; towards the Basis thereof, ’tis divided into three main Branches; the middlemost runneth directly into the Plume; the other two on either side it, after a little space, pass into the Lobes; where the said Branches dividing themselves into other smaller; and those into more, and smaller again, are terminated towards the Verges of each Lobe; in which manner the said inner Body being distributed, it becomes in each Lobe, a true and perfect Root. See Fig. 2.

This Seminal Root, as now we’ll call it, being so tender, cannot be perfectly excarnated, as may the Vessels in the Parts of an Animal, by the most accurate Hand; yet by dissection begun and continu’d, as is above-declared, its whole frame and distribution may be easily observ’d. Again, if you take the Lobe of a Bean, and lengthwise pare off its Parenchyma by degrees, and in very thin Shives, many Branches of the Seminal Root, (which by the other way of Dissection were only noted by so many Specks) both as they are fewer about the Basis of the Bean, and more numerous towards its Verges, in some good distinction and entireness will appear. For this you must have new Beans.

As the inner Body is branched out in the Lobes, so is it in the Plume: For if you cut the Plume athwart, and from the Basis proceed along the Body thereof, you’l find therein, first, one large Trunk or Branch, and after four or five very small Specks round about it, which are the terminations of so many lesser Branches therewith distributed to the several parts of the Plume. See Fig. 4. The distribution of the inner Body, as it is continuous throughout all the Organical Parts of the Bean, is represented by Fig. 2.

This Inner Body is, by dissection, best observable in the Bean and great Lupine. In other larger Pulse it shows likewise some obscure Marks of it-self: But in no other Seeds, which I have observed, though of the greatest size, as of Apples, Plums, Nuts, &c. is there any clear appearance hereof, upon dissection, saving in the Radicle and Plume; the reason of which is partly from its quantity, being in most Seeds so extraordinary little; partly from its Colour, which in most Seeds, is the same with that of the Parenchyma it self, and so not distinguishable from it.

Yet in a Gourd-Seed, the whole Seminal Root, not only its Main Branches, but also the Sub-divisions and Inosculations of the lesser ones, are without any dissection, upon the separation of the Lobes, on their contiguous Flats immediatly apparent. See Fig. 5. And as to the existence of this Seminal Root, what Dissection cannot attain, ocular inspection in hundreds of other Seeds, even the smallest, will demonstrate; as in this Chapter shall be seen how.

In the mean time, let us only take notice, that when we say every Plant hath its Root, we reckon short, for every Plant hath really two, though not contemporary, yet successive Roots, its Original or Seminal-Root within its Seed, and its Plant-Root, which the Radicle becometh in its growth: the Parenchyma of the Seed being in some resemblance, that to the Seminal Root at first, which the Mould is to the Plant-Root afterwards; and the Seminal Root being that to the Plant-Root, which the Plant-Root is to the Trunk. For our better understanding whereof, having taken a view of the several Parts of a Bean, as far as Dissection conducts; we will next briefly enquire into the use of the said Parts, and in what manner they are the Fountain of Vegetation, and concurrent to the being of the future Plant.

The general Cause of the growth of a Bean or other Seed, is Fermentation; that is, the Bean lying in the Mould, and a moderate access of some moisture, partly dissimilar, and partly congenerous, being made, a gentle Fermentation thence ariseth; by which the Bean swelling, and the Sap still encreasing, and the Bean continuing still to swell, the work thus proceeds: as is the usual way of explicating. But that there is simply a Fermentation, and so a sufficient supply of Sap, is not enough; but that this Fermentation and the Sap wherein ’tis made, should be under a various Government by divers Parts thereto subservient, is also requisite; and as the various preparation of the Aliment in an Animal, equally necessary, the particular process of the Work according whereto, we find none undertaking to declare.

Let us look upon a Bean then, as a piece of Work so fram’d and set together, as to declare a Design for the production of a Plant, which, upon its lying in some convenient Soyl, is thus effected. First of all, the Bean being enfoulded round in its Coats, the Sap wherewith it is fed, must of necessity pass through these: By which means, it is not only in a proportionate quantity, and by due degrees; but also in a purer body; and possibly not without some Vegetable Tincture, transmitted to the Bean. Whereas, were the Bean naked, the Sap must needs be, as over-copious, so but crude and immature, as not being filtred through so fine a Cotton as the Coats be. And as they have the use of a Filtre to the transient Sap, so of a Vessel to that which is still deposited within them; being alike accommodated to the securer Fermentation hereof, as Bottles or Barrels are to Beer, or any other Fermentative Liquor.

And as the Fermentation is promoted by some Aperture in the Vessel; so have we the Foramen in the upper Coat also contrived, that if there should be need of some more aiery Particles to excite the Fermentation, through this they may obtain their Entry: Or, on the contrary, should there be any such Particles or Steams as might damp the genuine proceeding thereof, through this again they may have easy issue: being that, as a common Pasport here to the Sap, which what we call the Bung-hole of the Barrel, is to the new-tunn’d Liquor. That this Foramen is truly permeable even in old setting Beans, appears upon their being soak’d for some time in Water: For then taking them out, and crushing them a little, many small bubbles will alternately arise and break upon it.

The Sap being passed through the Coats, it next enters the Body of the Bean; yet not indiscriminately neither; but, being filtred through the Outer Coat, and fermented both in the Body and Concave of the Inner, is by mediation of the Cuticle, again more finely filtr’d, and so entereth the Parenchyma it self under a fourth Government.

Through which Part the Sap passing towards the Seminal Root, as through that which is of a more spacious content; besides the benefit it hath of a farther percolation, it will also find room enough for a more free and active fermenting and maturation herein. And being moreover, part of the true Body of the Bean, and so with its proper Seminalities or Tinctures copiously repleat; the Sap will not only find room, but also matter enough, by whose Energy its Fermentation will still be more advanced.

And the Sap being duly prepared here, it next passeth into all the Branches of the Seminal Root, and so under a fifth Government. Wherein how delicate ’tis now become, we may conceive by the proportion betwixt the Parenchyma and this Seminal Root; so much only of the best digested Sap being discharged from the whole Stock in that, as this will receive. And this, moreover, as the Parenchyma, with its proper Seminalities being endowed; the Sap, for the supply of the Radicle, and of the young Root from thence, is duly prepared therein, and with its highest Tincture and Impregnation at last enriched.

The Sap being thus prepared in the Lobes of the Bean, ’tis thence discharg’d; and either into the Plume or the Radicle, must forthwith issue. And since the Plume is a dependent on the Radicle; the Sap therefore ought first to be dispenced to this; which accordingly is ever found to shoot forth before the Plume, and that sometimes an inch or two in length. Now because the primitive course of the Sap into the Radicle, is thus requisite, therefore by the frame of the Parts of the Bean is it made necessary too. For we may observe that the two main Branches of the Seminal Root in which the several Ramifications in either Lobe are all united, commit not themselves into the Seminal Trunk of the Plume, nor yet so as to stand at right Angles with them, and with equal respect towards them both; but being producted through part of the Parenchyma of the Radicle, are at last united therein to the main Trunk, and make acute Angles therewith; as may be seen by Fig. 2. Now the Sap being brought as far as the Seminal Root in either Lobe, and according to the conduct thereof continuing still to move, it must needs immediately issue into the same part whereinto the main Branches themselves do, that is, into the Radicle. By which Sap, thus bringing the several Tinctures of the parts aforesaid with it, being now fed; it is no longer a meer Radicle, but is made also Seminal, and so becomes a perfect Root.

The Radicle being thus impregnate and shot into a root, ’tis now time for the Plume to rouze out of its Cloysters, and germinate too: In order whereto, ’tis now fed from the Root with laudable and sufficient Aliment. For as the Supplies and motion of the Sap were first made from the Lobes towards the Root, so the Root being well shot into the Moulds, and now receiving a new and more copious Sap from these; the motion hereof must needs be stronger, and by degrees revert the primitive Sap, and so move in a contrary course, sc. from the Root towards the Plume; and, by the continuation of the Seminal trunk, is directly conducted thereinto; by which, being fed, it gradually enlarges and displayes it self.

The course of the Sap thus turned, it issues, I say, in a direct Line from the Root into the Plume, but collaterally into the Lobes also; sc. by those two aforesaid Branches which are obliquely transmitted from the Radicle into either Lobe. By which Branches the said Sap being disbursed back into all the Seminal Root, and from thence likewise into the Parenchyma of the Lobes; they are both thus fed, and for some time augmenting themselves, really grow; as in Lupines is evident.

Yet is not this common to all Seeds; some rot under-ground, as Corn; being of a laxer and less Oleous substance, differing herein from most other Seeds; and being not divided into Lobes, but one entire thick Body. And some, although they continue firm, yet rise not as the great Garden-Bean; in which therefore it is observable, that the two Main Branches of the Lobes in comparison with that which runs into the Plume, are but mean; and so insufficient to the feeding and vegetation of the Lobes; the Plume, on the contrary, growing so lusty, as to mount up without them.

Excepting a few of these two kinds, all other Seeds whatsoever, (which I have observed) besides that they continue firm, upon the Vegetation of the Plume, mount also upwards, and advance above the Mould together with it; as all Seeds which spring up with dissimilar Leaves, the two (for the most part two) dissimilar Leaves, being the very Lobes of the Seed divided, expanded, and thus advanced.

The Impediments of our apprehension hereof are the Colour, Size and Shape of the dissimilar Leaves. Notwithstanding, that they are nothing else but the main body of the Seed, how I came first to phansie, and afterwards to know it, was thus: First, I observed in general that the dissimilar Leaves were never jagg’d, but even edg’d: And seeing the even verges of the Lobes of the Seed hereto respondent, I was apt to think, that those which were so like, might prove the same. Next descending to particular Seeds, I observed first of the Lupine; that as to its Colour, upon its advance above the Mould, it ever changed into a perfect Green. And why might not the same by parity of Reason be inferr’d of other Seeds? That, as to its size, it grew but little bigger than when first set. Whence, as I discern’d (the Augmentation being but little) we here had only the two Lobes: So, (as some augmentation there was) I inferr’d the like might be, and that, in farther degrees, in other Seeds.

Next, of the Cucumber-seed. That, as to its Colour, often appearing above ground in its Primitive white, from white it turns to yellow, and from yellow to green, the proper colour of a Leaf: That, as to its size, though at its first arise, the Lobes were little bigger than upon setting; yet afterwards as they chang’d their Colour, so their Dimensions also, growing to a three-four-five-fold amplitude above their primitive size: But whereas the Lobes of the Seed are in proportion, narrow, short and thick, how then come the dissimilar Leaves to be so exceeding broad, or long and thin? The Question answers it self: For the dissimilar Leaves, for very reason are so thin, because so very broad or long; as we see many things, how much they are extended in length or breadth, so much they lose in depth, or grow more thin; which is that which here befalls the now effoliated Lobes. For being once disimprisoned from their Coats, and the course of the Sap into them now more and more encreased, they must needs very considerably amplifie themselves; and from the manner wherein the Seminal Root is branched in them, that amplification cannot be in thickness, but in length or breadth: In both which, in some dissimilar Leaves ’tis very remarkable; especially in length, as in those of Lettice, Thorn-Apple, and others; whose Seeds, although very small, yet the Lobes of those Seeds growing up into Dissimilar Leaves, are extended an Inch, and sometimes more, in length; though he that shall attempt to get a clear sight of the Lobes of Thorn-Apple, and some others, by Dissection, will find it no easy Task; yet is that which may be obtained. From all which, and the observation of other Seeds, I at last found, that the dissimilar Leaves of a young Plant, are nothing else but the Lobes or main Body of its Seed: So that as the Lobes did at first feed and impregnate the Radicle into a perfect Root; so the Root being perfected, doth again feed, and by degrees amplifie each Lobe into a perfect Leaf.

The Original of the dissimilar Leaves thus known, we understand, why some Plants have none; because the Seed either riseth not, as Garden-Beans, Corn, &c. Or upon rising, the Lobes are little alter’d, as Lupines, Pease, &c. Why, though the proper Leaves are often indented round; the dissimilar, like the Lobes, are even-edg’d. Why, though the proper Leaves are often hairy, yet these are ever smooth. Why some have more dissimilar Leaves than two, as Cresses, which have six, as the Ingenious Mr. Sharrock also observes; the reason whereof is, because the Main Body is not divided into two, but six, distinct Lobes, as I have often counted. Why Radishes seem at first to have four, which yet after appear plainly two; because the Lobes of the Seed have both a little Indenture, and are both plaited, one over the other. To which we might add,

The use of the dissimilar Leaves is, first, for the protection of the Plume; which being but young, and so but soft and tender, is provided with these, as a double Guard, one on either side of it. For this reason it is, that the Plume in Corn is trussed up within a membranous Sheath; and that of a Bean, cooped up betwixt a pair of Surfoyls; but where the Lobes rise, there the Plume hath neither of them, being both needless.

Again, that since the Plume, being yet tender, may be injured not only by the Air, but also for want of Sap, the supplies from the Root being yet but slow and sparing; that the said Plume therefore, by the dissimilar Leaves, may have the advantage likewise of some refreshment from Dew or Rain. For these having their Basis a little beneath that of the Plume, and expanding themselves on all sides of it, they often stand after Rain, like a Vessel of Water, continually soaking and supplying it, lest its new access into the Ayr, should shrivel it.

Moreover, that since the dissimilar Leaves by their Basis intercept the Root and Plume, the greater and grosser part of the Sap may be by the way deposited into those; and so the purest proceed into the yet but young and delicate Plume, as its fittest Aliment.

Lastly, we have here a demonstration of the being of the Seminal Root; which since through the colour or smallness of the Seed, it could not by dissection be observ’d, except in some few; Nature hath here provided us a way of viewing it in the now effoliated Lobes, not of one or two Seeds, but of hundreds; the Seminal Root visibly branching it self towards the Cone and Verges of the said Lobes, or now dissimilar Leaves.