The general composition of all Fruits is one, that is, their Essential and truly Vital Parts, are in all the same, and but the continuation of those which in the other Parts of a Vegetable, we have already observed: Yet because by the different Constitutions and Tinctures of these Parts, divers considerably different Fruits result; I shall therefore take a particular view of the more known and principal of them, sc. Apples, Pears, Plums, Nuts and Berries.

An Apple, if cut traverse, appears constituted of four distinct Parts, the Pill, the Parenchyma, Branchery and Coare. The Pill is only the spreading and dilatation of the skin, or utmost part of the Barque in the Branch. The Parenchyma, when full ripe, is a tender delicate Meat: Yet as the Pill is but the continuation of the utmost part of the Barque; so is this but the continuance and ampliation, or (as I may call it) the swelth and superbience of the Inner part thereof; which upon observation of a young and Infant-Apple especially, is evident. Thus we see the Pith, which is often tough, in many Roots, as Parsneps, Turneps, &c. is tender and edible. So here, the Parenchyma, though originally no more than the Barque, yet the plenty and purity of its Sap being likewise effectual to the fulness and fineness of its growth, it thus becomes a soft and tender meat. The Branchery is nothing else but the Ramifications of the Lignous Body throughout all the parts of the Parenchyma; the greater Branches being likewise by the Inosculations of the less (as in the Leaf) united together. The main Branches are usually fifteen; ten are spred and distributed through the Parenchyma, all enarching themselves towards the Cork or Stool of the Flower; the other five running from the Stalk in a directer Line, at last meet the former at the said Cork, and are there osculated with them. These five are originated from one; which running along the Center of the Stalk, and part of the Parenchyma of the Fruit, is therein at last divided. To these the Coats of the Kernels are fastned; so that whereas these Branches were originally all extended even beyond the Fruit, and inserted into the Flower for the due growth thereof; the Fruit afterwards growing to some head, and so intercepting and preying upon the Aliment of the Flower, starves that, and therefrom supersedes the service of the said Branches to it self, ten for its Parenchyma, and five for its Seed. The Coar is originated from the Pith; for the Sap finding room enough in the Parenchyma, through which to dispence it self all abroad, quits the Pith, which thereby hardens into a Coar. Thus we see the Insertions, although originate from the Cortical Body, yet their Parts being, by the Inosculations of the Lignous, so much compress’d and made to co-incide together, they become a Body very compact and dense. And in the Barque we see the same effect by arefaction only, or a meer voydance of the Sap; the Inner Part whereof, though soft and sappy, yet its superficial Rind is often so hard and smooth, that it may be fairly writ upon.

In a Pear there are five distinct Parts, the Pill, the Parenchyma, Branchery, Calculary and Acetary. The three former are here and in an Apple much alike; saving that here the Inner or Seed-Branches are ordinarily ten. The Calculary (most observable in rough-tasted, or Choak-Pears) is a congeries of little stony Knots: They are many of them dispersed throughout the whole Parenchyma; but lying more continuous and compact together towards the Center of the Pear, surround the Acetary there in a somewhat Globular Form. About the Stalk they stand more distant; but towards the Cork or Stool of the Flower, they still grow closer, and there at last gather (almost) into the firmitude of a Plum-stone it self. Within this lies the Acetary; ’tis of a soure tast, and by the bounding of the Calculary of a Globular Figure. ’Tis a simple Body, having neither any of the Lignous branched in it, nor any Knots. It is of the same substantial nature with the Parenchyma; but whether it be absolutely one with it, or be derived immediately from the Pith, my Enquiries yet made, determine not.

The Original of the Calculary I seem to have neglected: But hereof we may here best say, that whereas all the other Parts are Essential and truly Vital, the Calculary is not; but that the several Knots whereof it consists, are only so many meer Concretions or Precipitations out of the Sap; as in Urines, Wines, and other Liquors, we often see. And that this Precipitation is made by the mixture and re-action of the Tinctures of the Lignous and Cortical Bodies upon each other: Even as all Vegetable Nutrition or Fixation of Parts is also made by the joynt efficiency of the two same Tinctures, as hath been said. Hence we find, that as the Acetary hath no Branches of the Lignous Body, so neither hath it any Knots. Hence likewise it is, that we have so different and contrary a taste in the Parenchyma beyond the Calculary, from that in the Acetary; for whereas this is soure, that, wherein the said Precipitations are made, is sweet; being much alike effect, to what we find in mixing; of Corals, &c. with Vinegar or other acid Liquor.

In a Plum (to which the Cherry, Apricot, Peach, Walnut, &c. ought to be referr’d) there are four distinct Parts, the Pill, the Parenchyma, Branchery and Stone. The Pill and Parenchyma are, as to their Original, with those of an Apple or Pear both alike: As likewise the Branchery, but differently ramified. In Plums (I suppose all) there are five main Out-Branches, which run along the Surface of the Stone from the Basis to the point thereof, four of them by the one Ridge, and one by the other opposite to it. In an Apricot there is the same number, but the single Branch runs not upon the Surface, but through the Body of the Stone. There are likewise two or three smaller Branches, which run in like manner under the other Ridge for some space, and then advancing into the Parenchyma, therein disperse themselves: These latter sort in Peaches are numerous throughout: But notwithstanding the different disposition of the Branches of the Fruits aforesaid; yet is there one Branch dispos’d in one and the same manner in them all: The entrance hereof into the Stone is at its Basis; from whence running through its Body, and still inclining or arching it self towards its Concave, is at last about its Cone thereinto emergent, where the Coats of the Seed are appendent to it. Of the Seed-Branch ’tis therefore observable that after its entrance into the Fruit, ’tis alwaies prolonged therein to a considerable length; as is seen not only in Apples, &c. where the Seed stands a good distance from the Stalk; but in Plums likewise, where it stands very near it; in that here the Seed-Branch, as is said, never strikes through the Stone into the Coats of the Seed directly, but about its Cone or remoter end. The Stone, though it seem a simple Body, yet it is compounded of different ones: The Inner Part thereof, as it is by far the thinnest, so is it the most dense, white, smooth and simple. The Original is from the Pith; difficult, but curious to observe: For the Seed-Branch, not striking directly and immediately quite through the Basis of the Stone, but in the manner as is above described, carries a considerable part of the Pith, now gathered round about it, as its Parenchyma, along with it self, which, upon its entrance into the concave of the Stone about its farther end, is there in part spred all over it, as the Lining thereof. The outer and very much thicker Part consisteth partly of the like Precipitations or concrete Particles, as in a Pear, being gathered here much more closely, not only to a Contiguity, but a coalition into one entire Stone; as we see in Pears themselves, especially towards the Cork, they gather into the like Stoniness; or as we see a Stone, Mineral or Animal, oftentimes the product of accumulated Gravel: But as the Parenchyma is mixed with the Concretion in the Calculary, so is it also, though not visibly, with these in the Stone, the ground of the Stone being indeed a perfect Parenchyma; but by the said Concretions so far alter’d, as to become dry, hard and undistinguishable from them.

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.