We next proceed to the Flower. The general Parts whereof are most commonly three; sc. the Empalement, the Foliation, and the Attire.

The Empalement, whether of one or more pieces, I call that which is the utmost part of the Flower, encompassing the other two. ’Tis compounded of the three general Parts, the Skin, the Cortical and Lignous Bodies; each Empaler (where there are divers) being as another little Leaf; as in those of a Quince-Flower, as oft as they happen to be overgrown, is well seen. As likewise in the Primrose, with the green Flower, commonly so call’d, though by a mistake; for that which seems to be the Flower, is only the more flourishing Empalement, the Flower it self being white; but the continuation of all the three aforesaid Parts into each Empaler, is discoverable, I think, no where better than in an Artichoke, which is a true Flower, and whose Empalers are of that amplitude, as fairly to shew them all: As also, that the Original of the Skin of each Empaler is not distinct from that of the rest; but to be all one piece, laid in so many Plaits or Duplicatures as there are Empalers, from the outermost to the inner and most central ones.

The Design of the Empalement, is to be security and Bands to the other two Parts of the Flower: To be their security before its opening, by intercepting all extremities of Weather: Afterwards to be their Bands, and firmly to contain all their Parts in their due and most decorous posture; so that a Flower without its Empalement, would hang as uncouth and taudry as a Lady without her Bodies.

Hence we have the reason why it is various, and sometimes wanting. Some Flowers have none, as Tulips; for having a fat and firm Leaf, and each Leaf likewise standing on a broad and strong Basis, they are thus sufficient to themselves. Carnations, on the contrary, have not only an Empalement, but that (for more firmitude) of one piece: For otherwise, the foot of each Leaf being very long and slender, most of them would be apt to break out of compass; yet is the top of the Impalement indented also; that the Indentments, by being lapp’d over the Leaves before their expansion, may then protect them; and by being spred under them afterwards, may better shoulder and prop them up. And if the feet of the Leaves be both long and very tender too, here the Empalement is numerous, though consisting of several pieces; yet those in divers Rounds, and all with a counterchangeable respect to each other (which also the Learned Dr. Brown observes) as in all Knapweeds, and other Flowers; whereby, how commodious they are for both the aforesaid ends, may easily be conceiv’d; and well enough exemplified by the Scales of Fishes, whereunto, as to their position, they have not an unapt resemblance.

The Foliation also, is of the same substantial nature with the green Leaf; the Membrane, Pulp, and Fibres whereof, being, as there, so here, but the continuation of the Skin, the Cortical and Lignous Bodies.

The Foulds of the Flower or Foliation are various, as those of the green Leaf; but some of them different. The most general are, First, The Plain Couch, as in Roses, and many other double Flowers. then the Concave Couch as in Blattaria flore albo. Next the Plait, as in some of the Leaves of Pease-Blooms, in the Flowers of Coriander, &c. which is either single, as in those nam’d; or double, as in Blew-Bottle, Jacea, and more of that rank. Next, the Couch and Plait together in the same Flower, as in Marigolds, Daisies, and all others of an agreeing form: where the first apparent Fould or Composture of the Leaves is in Couch; but the Leaves being erect, each likewise may be seen to lie in a double Plait within it self. Then the Rowl, as in the Flowers of Ladies-Bower, the broad top of each Leaf being by a double Rowl foulded up inwardly. Next, the Spire, which it the beginning of a Rowl; and may be seen in the Flowers of Mallows, and others. Lastly, the Plait and Spire together, where the part analogous to the Foliation, is of one piece, the Plaits being here laid, and so carried on by Spiral Lines to the top of the Flower, as is in divers, and I think in Convolvulus Doronici folio more elegantly seen. The reason of all which varieties, a comparative consideration of the several parts of the Flower may suggest. Ile only mention, that no Flower that I find, hath a Back-Rowl, as hath the green Leaf, for two Reasons; because its Leaves have not their Fibres standing out much on their backside, as the green Leaves have; and because of its Attire, which it ever embosomes, and cannot so well do it by a Back-Rowl.

The usual Protections of Flowers by the Precedents are express’d, sc. Green Leaves and Empalements. Some have another more peculiar, that is a double Vail; as the Spring-Crocus. For having no Empalement, and starting up early out of the Mould, even before its Green Leaves, and that upon the first opening of the Spring; lest it should thus be quite starved, ’tis born swath’d up in a double Blanket, or with a pair of Sheets upon its Back.

The Leaves of divers Flowers at their Basis have an hairy Tuft; by which Tufts the Concave of the Empalement is fill’d up; that, being very choice and tender, they may thus be kept in a gentle and constant warmth, as most convenient for them.

The Leaves of the Flower, though they are not hairy all over, yet in some particular parts they are often set with a fine Downy Velvet; that, being by their shape and posture in those parts contiguous to their delicate and tender Attire, they may thus give it a more softly and warmer touch. Thus in the Flower of Ladies Bower, those parts of its Leaves which rowl inward, and lie contiguous to the Attire, are Downy; whereas the other parts are plain and smooth: So the Flowers of Pease, Spanish Broom, Toad-Flax, and many others, where contiguous to their Attires, are deck’d with the like Hairy Velvet.

As upon the Green Leaves, so upon the Flowers are Globulets sometimes seen; as upon the backside of that of Enula. On none more plainly than that kind of Blattaria with the white Flower; where they are all transparent, and growing both on the Stalk and Leaves of the Flower, each shewing likewise its Peduncle whereon it is erected.

The use of the Flower, or the Foliation whereof we now speak, (that is, as to its private service) is for the protection of the Attire; this, as its under, and the Empalement as its upper Garments; as likewise of the Fruit: The necessity of which Service, in some Cases, by the different situation of the Flower and Fruit, with respect to each other, is evident; Apples, Pears, and several other Fruits, standing behind or under the Flower; but Cherries, Apricots, and divers others, within it; for these, being of a very tender and pulpous Body, and withal putting forth with the colder part of the Spring, could not weather it out against the Variations and Extremities of the Air, (as those of a more solid Parenchyma can) except lodged up within their Flowers.

And as the Flower is serviceable to the safety of the Fruit, so is it to its growth; sc. in its Infancy, or Embryo-estate; for which purpose, as there is a Flower, so that Flower is greater or less, according as the nature of the Fruit to which it belongs, and the plenty of the Sap by which the Fruit is fed, doth require. Thus, where the young Fruit is of a solider constitution, and the ascent of the Sap less copious, were there here no Flower to promote the said ascent thereof into the Fruit (in the manner as is effected by the Green Leaves) it must needs pine and die, or prove less kindly. On the contrary, should the Flower be over-large, it would not only promote the ascent of the Sap up to the Fruit, but being as yet over-proportionate to it, would likewise it self exhaust the same Sap, as fast as ascendent; like a greedy Nurse, that prepares the Meat for her Child, and then eats it up her self. Thus we see Apples and Pears with a Flower of a moderate size, like their Body; of a middle Constitution, and their Sap of a middle quantity: But Quinces, being more solid, besides that they have as great a Flower, the Impalers of their Flower also thrive so far as to become handsom Leaves, continuing also after the Flower is fallen, firm and verdent a great while; so long till the fruit be able to provide for it self. On the other hand, Plums being more tender and Sappy than Apples and Pears, besides that their Empalers are much alike, their flower is less, and Gooseberries and Currans, which are still more Pulpy, and the course of the Sap towards them more free, have yet a flower far less. And Grapes, whose Sap is still of quicker Ascent, have scarce any flower at all; only some small resemblance thereof, serving just upon the setting of the fruit, and no longer.

The Attire I find to be of two kinds, Seminie and Florie: That which I call Seminie, is made up of two general parts, Chives and Semets, one upon each Chive. These Semets have the appearance (especially in many flowers) of so many little Seeds; but are quite another kind of Body: For upon enquiry we find, that these Semets, though they seem to be solid, and for some time after their first formation, are entire; yet are they really hollow; and their side, or sides, which were at first entire, at length crack asunder: And that moreover the Concave of each Semet is not a meer vacuity, but fill’d up with a number of minute Particles, in form of a Powder; which, though common to all Semets, yet in some, and particularly those of a Tulip, being larger, is more distinctly observable.

These Semets are sometimes fastned so, as to stand erect above their Chive, as those of Larks-heel. Sometimes, and I think usually, so as to hang a little down, in the manner and figure of a Kidney; as in Mallows. Their Cleft or Crack is sometimes single, but for the most part double: At these Clefts it is that they disburse their Powders; which as they start out, and stand betwixt the two Lips of each Cleft, have some resemblance to the common Sculpture of a Pomegranate with its Seeds looking out at the Clefts of its Rind: This must be observ’d when the Clefts are recently made, which usually is before the expansion of the Flower.

The Particles of these Powders, though like those of Meal or other Dust, they appear not easily to have any regular shape; yet upon strict observation, especially with the assistance of an indifferent Glass, it doth appear, that they are nothing else but a Congeries of so many perfect Globes or Globulets: That which obscures them; is their being so small. In Dogs-Mercury, Borage, and very many more Plants, they are extreamly so. In Mallows, and some others, more fairly visible.

Some of these Powders are yellow, as in Dogs-Mercury, Goats-Rue, &c. and some of other colours: But most of them I think are white; and those of yellow Henbane very elegant; the disburs’d Powders whereof, to the naked eye, are white as Snow; but each Globulet, through a Glass, transparent as Crystal; which is not a fallacy from the Glass, but what we see in all transparent Bodies whatsoever, lying in a Powder or small Particles together.

The Florid Attire, is commonly known by the blind and rude Name of Thrums; as in the Flowers of Marigold, Tansie, &c. How adequate its imposition is, observation will determine: For the several Thrums or rather Suits, whereof the Attire is made up, however else they may differ in various Flowers, in this agree, that they are ever consistent of more than one, sometimes of two, and for the most part of three pieces (for which I call them Suits) and each piece of a different, but agreeable and comely form.

The outer part of every Suit, is its Floret: whose Body or Tube is divided at the top (like that of the Cowslip) into divers distinct Leaves; so that a Floret is the Epitome of a flower; and is all the flower that many Plants, as Mugwort, Tansie, and others, have. What the Learned Dr. Brown observeth of the number Five as to the Leaves of the flower, is still more universally holding in these of the Floret.

Upon the Expansion of the Floret, the next part of the Suit is from within its Tube brought to sight; which we may (with respect to that within it) call the Sheath: For this also, like the Floret, is a concave Body; in its shape very well resembling the Fistulous Pouches of Wake-Robin, or of Dragon.

The Sheath, after some time, dividing at the top, from within its Concave, the third and innermost part of the suit, sc. the Blade advanceth and displayes it self. This part is not hollow, as the other two, but solid; yet at its point, not originally, but after some time, is evermore divided into two halves.

Upon the division of the said Point, there appears, as upon the opening of a Semet; a Powder of Globulets, which before lay enclosed up within its Clefts; and are of the same nature with those of a Semet, though not so copious: So that all flowers have their Powders or Globulets. The whole Attire may in Knapweed, Blewbottle, &c. be observed.

The use of the Attire, how contemptibly soever we may look upon it, is certainly great. And though for our own use we value the Leaves of the Flower, or the Foliation, most; yet of all the three Parts, this in some respects is the choycest, as for whose sake and service the other two are made. The use hereof, as to Ornament and Distinction, is unquestionable, but is not all. As for Distinction, though by the help of Glasses we may make it to extend far; yet in a passant view, which is all we usually make, we cannot so well. As for Ornament, and particularly in reference to the Semets, we may ask, If for that meerly these were meant, then why should they be so made as to break open, or to contain any thing within them? Since their Beauty would be as good as if they were not hollow, and is better before they crack and burst open, than afterwards.

A farther use hereof therefore we must acknowledge, and may observe; and that is for food; for Ornament and Distinction to us, and for Food to other Animals. I will not say, but that it may serve even to these for Distinction too, that they may be able to know one Plant from another, and in their flight or progress settle where they like best; and that therefore the varieties of these small parts are many, and well observed by them, which we take no notice of: Yet the finding out of Food is but in order to enjoy it: Which, that it is provided for a vast number of little Animals in the attires of all Flowers, observation perswades us to believe. For why else are they evermore here found? Go from one Flower to another, great and small, you shall meet with none untaken up with these Guests. In some, and particularly the Sun-flower, where the parts of the Attire, and the animals for which they provide, are larger, the matter is more visible. We must not think, that God Almighty hath left any of the whole Family of his Creatures unprovided for; but as the Great Master, some where or other carveth out to all; and that for a great number of these little Folk, He hath stored up their peculiar provisions in the Attires of Flowers; each Flower thus becoming their Lodging and their Dining-Room, both in one.

Wherein the particular parts of the Attire may be more distinctly serviceable, this to one Animal, and that to another, I cannot say: Or to the same Animal, as a Bee, whether this for the Honey, another for their Bread, a third for the Wax: Or whether all only suck from hence some Juice; or some may not also carry some of the Parts, as of the Globulets, wholly away: Or lastly, what may be the primary and private use of the attire (for even this abovesaid; though great, yet is but secondary) I now determine not.