Of what antiquity the Anatomy of Animals is, and how great have been its Improvements of later years, is well known. That of Vegetables is a subject which from all Ages to this day hath not only lain by uncultivated; but for ought I know, except some Observations of some of our own Countrey-men, hath not been so much as thought upon; whether for that the World hath been more enamoured with the former, or pity to humane frailty hath more obliged to it, or other Reasons, I need not enquire.

But considering that both came at first out of the same Hand, and are therefore the Contrivances of the same Wisdom; I thence fully assured my self, that it could not be a vain Design, though possibly unsuccessful, to seek it in both.

In the prosecution hereof, how far I have gone, I neither judge my self, nor leave it to any one else to do it; because no man knows how far we have yet to go, or are capable of going. Nor is there any thing which starves and stinteth the growth of knowledge more, than such Determinations, whether we speak or conceit them only.

What we have performed thus far, lieth, for the most part, open to the use and improvement of all men. Only in some places, and chiefly in the Third Chapter, we have taken in the help of Glasses; wherein, after we had finished the whole Composure, some Observations made by that Ingenious and Learned Person Mr. Hook, a Worthy Member of the Royal Society, my much Honoured Friend, and by him communicated to me, were super-added: As likewise some others also Microscopical, of my own, which his gave me the occasion of making.

Those that shall think fit to examine, as well as to peruse these Observations, we advertise them, First, That they begin, and so proceed till they end again, with the Seed: For they will hardly be able to avoid Errour and Misapprehension, if either partial or preposterous in their Enquiries. Next, That they confine not their Enquiries to one time of the Year; but to make them in several Seasons, wherein the Parts of a Vegetable may be seen in their several Estates. And then, That they neglect not the comparative Anatomy; for as some things are better seen in one estate, so in one Vegetable, than another.

What, upon Observation already made, we have erected, as they are not Sticks and Straws; so neither do we assure all to be of the best Oak. How Dogmatical soever my Assertions may seem to be, yet do I not affect the unreasonable Tyranny of obtruding upon the Faith of any. He that speaketh Reason, may be rather satisfied, in being understood, than believed.