Chapter VII: Book 4: Anatomy of Leaves, Flowers, Fruits and Seeds (6)

6. §. The _nature_ of the outer _Coat_ is also 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 Ground, like Bottled Liquors in Sand.

7. §. 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_, _Cichory_; 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_.

8. §. 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 So, upon _Vegetation_, it may have a free and ready passage into the Mould.

9. §. 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 runns, 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_.

10. §. 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 _Penduncle_ 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, and so becomes the inner.

11. §. Of this Inner _Coat_ it is very observable, That although 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, it 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_. The Delineation hereof, See in the _Figures_ belonging to the _Fourth_ =Part= of the _Fourth_ =Book=.

12. §. 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; as the _Veins_ in the _Kidneys_ of a Man or any _Quadrupede_; Or the _Carotick Arteries_ in the _Braine_.

13. §. 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.

14. §. 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 _Fibers_, 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 variated _Pores_ and _Structure_ of these _Two Bodies_. What from these two general Observations might reasonably be inferr’d, I shall not now mention.

15. §. The Fourth or Innermost _Cover_ we may call the _Secondine_. The sight of which, 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 rear-boyl’d. This _Membrance_ in larger or elder _Beans_, is not to be found distinct. 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. ♦ _Tab. 4. f. 16._ ♦ ’Tis usually so very thin, as in the above-nam’d, as very difficultly to be discover’d. But in some _Kernels_, as of _Apricots_, ’tis very thick; and most remarquably such, 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 Texture, which is in all of them more close. See this _Part_ in _Tab. 4._ As also amongst the _Figures_ belonging to the _Fourth_ =Part= of the _Fourth_ =Book=.

16. §. 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_.

17. §. Through this _Membrane_, the _Lignous Body_ or _Seed-Branches_ distributed in the inner _Coat_, at last shoot downright two slender _Fibres_, like two _Navel-strings_, one into each _Lobe_ of the _Bean_. ♦ _Tab. 4. f. 18._ ♦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 _Fibers_ 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, ♦ _Tab. 4. f. 17._ ♦ 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_ and _Plume_, ♦ _Tab. 4. f. 18._ ♦ in the manner as in the _First Chapter_ is described. 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.

♦ An Account of the _Generation_ of the _Seed_. ♦ 18. §. 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_.

19. §. The more copious and cruder part hereof is again separated 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.

20. §. 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.

21. §. 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 quickeneth the _process_ of the whole Work in the formation of the _Seed_.

22. §. 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.

23. §. 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 discharg’d. 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 _Secundine_, is it bounded within. Through which _Secundine_ 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.

24. §. 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.

25. §. Wherein also, lest its Current should be too copious or precipitant, by their _co-arcture_ and _divarication_ where they are inosculated, it is retarded; the noblest portion only obtaining a pass.

26. §. With this purest _Sap_, the said _Ramulets_ being supplied, from thence at last, the _Navel-Fibres_ shoot (as the primitive _Artery_ into the _Colliquamentum_) through the _Secundine_ into the aforesaid _Liquor_ deposited therein.

27. §. 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, the said _Coagulation_ or _Fixation_ is therewith likewise.

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

FINIS.

THE
ANATOMY
OF
ROOTS;

Presented to the ROYAL SOCIETY at several times,
in the Years, 1672 & 1673.

With an Account of the
VEGETATION OF ROOTS,
Grounded chiefly hereupon.

The SECOND BOOK.

By _NEHEMIAH GREW_ M.D. Fellow of the
_Royal Society_, and of the _College_ of _Physicians_.

=The Second Edition.=

_LONDON_,
Printed by _W. Rawlins_, 1682.

TO THE

Right Honourable

WILLIAM

Lord Vi-Count _BROUNCKER_

THE

PRESIDENT

AND TO THE

Council and Fellows

OF THE

ROYAL SOCIETY.

_MY LORD_,

If the Dedication of _Books_ were not in use; yet here, I think, I might have been a Precedent. The promotion of _Phytological Science_ is one Part of _Your_ Work; and ’tis _You_ have called me to the management of this Part; for some time, have intrusted me herein; and by _Your_ most favourable and candid acceptance of what I have performed thus far, have encouraged me hereunto: I therefore present but _Your_ Own, into _Your_ Hands.

The great Honour and Advantage of _Your_ Fellowship, I first obtained, by Mediation of Dr. _Wilkins_, the late most Reverend _Bishop_ of _Chester_. Whom I cannot name, without saying thus much of him, That He was a Person of that eminent and happy Worth, which, as it was too good, to fear envy; so is it too great, to need an Elogie.

With Him, it was, _You_ were pleased to commit to Me, the further prosecution of this _Work_; the Beginnings whereof, were by _Your Order_ formerly made publique. Had I consulted my own Abilities altogether, I should scarcely have ventured upon it; seeing very little, for which I could think well of my self, saving, That I had learned, upon good grounds, to think of _You_ with greatest Honour. But I also considered, That to insist hereon too much, might be a reflection upon _Your_ Judgments, who had thought fit to make choice of Me. And, That _You_ were not more the Patrons of Wit, than of Industry; and of All, who shall endeavour to find out, or to confirm the Truth of Things. Withal, I looked upon _Nature_, as a Treasure so infinitely full; that as all Men together, cannot exhaust it; so no Man, but may find out somewhat therein, if he be resolved to Try.

In compliance therefore with _Your_ Commands, I have hereunto devoted a very considerable part of my Time. These, adding force to my own Desires, of being somewhat instrumental to the Improvement of Medicinal, and other wholesom Knowledge: if peradventure, as we increase herein, we may become better, and more happy. As to which Improvement, though I could not hope; yet, I would not dispair. I have already prepared the Soil, and made some Plantation: what remaineth behind, and the Vintage of the whole, will depend much upon the continued Influence of _Your_ Beams: for how unpromising soever the Stock may be; yet the Fruit cannot but be somewhat matured, upon which _You_ are pleased to shine. I am also confident, that the same Nobilty and Goodness, which accept the endeavours, will likewise pardon the faults, of,

_My Lord,
Your Lordships most humbly
and most sincerly
devoted Servant_

NEHEMJAH GREW.

_September 1. 1673._

THE
CONTENTS.

The FIRST PART.

CHAP. I.

O_F the Original of_ Roots, _§. 1, 2, 3. Of their Figures, 4, to 8. Of their Motions, 9, to 15. And of their Ages, 16, to the end._

CHAP. II.

O_F the_ Skin. _Its external Accidents, and Original, §. 1, 2. Compounding Parts. Whereof the one Parenchymous, 3. The other Lignous, 4, to the end._

CHAP. III.

O_F the_ Barque. _Its Original and external Accidents, §. 1. Size, 2. Compounding Parts: Whereof the one Parenchymous, 3. The_ Bladders _of the_ Parenchyma, _4, 5, 6. The Diametral Portions, 7, to 11. The other Part, Lignous, consisting of long_ Pipes _or_ Vessels, _12, to 17, Of several Kinds, 18, to 23. In different Proportion, 24, 25. And in different and elegant Position. 26, to the end._

CHAP. IV.

O_F that Part of the_ Root _next within the Bark; in_ Trees _and_ Shrubby Plants, _called the_ Wood. _Hereof the Parenchyma, §. 1, 2, 3, & 7. The Lignous Portion: of which, the_ Sap-Vessels, _4. The_ Aer-Vessels, _5, 6. The Position of the Former, 8, 9. Of the Latter, 10, 11, 12. Their Proportion, 13, 14, 15. The Latter, sometimes a little tapering. 16. Their Texture, 17, to 22. Content, 23._

CHAP. V.

O_F the_ Pith. _Found in the upper part of most Roots, §. 1. Its size and shape, 2._ Sap-Vessels, _3. Original, 4, 5. Bladders, 6,_ Fibres _and Texture, 7, to 11. That of the Insertions and Barque the same, 12. Hence, the Original of the Aer-Vessels conjectured, 13. What the whole Body of a Root, concluded, 14, 15. The Contents of the Pith, 16._

The SECOND PART.

T_heology, the Beginning and End of Philosophy, §. 1, to 6._

_The Divine Wisdom seen in the Growth of Plants, 7. If we observe,_

_How the Ground is Prepared, 8, to 14._

_How the Sap is Imbibed, and Distributed to the several Parts of the Root, 15, to 28._

_How the several Parts are Nourished and Formed, 29, to 35._

_How the several Parts receive their respective Situation, 36, to 40._

_How Roots receive their different Size and Shape, 41, to 47._

_How Roots receive their different Motions, 48, to 53._

_How Roots are differently Aged, 54, 55, 56._

_How the Liquors and other_ Contents _of the several Parts are made, 57, to 63._

_How the Odors of Roots are made, 64._

_How their Colours, 65 to 67._

_How their Tasts, 68, to the end._

THE

ANATOMY

OF

ROOTS;

PROSECUTED

With the bare EYE,

AND WITH THE

MICROSCOPE.