HE Time in which the Flower is Generated or Formed is a Providence in Nature, whereof, I do a little wonder, that no one, amongst so many observers of Plants, hath ever yet taken any notice. It is therefore to be remarked, That all Flowers are formed or perfectly finished, in all their Parts, long before they appear in sight; usually Three or Four Months, and sometimes half a year, or more. And that in all Perennial Plants, those Flowers which appear and are called the Flowers of any one year; are not formed in that year; but were actually in Being, and entirely formed in all Parts, the year before; as in many Herbs, and in all Shrubs and Trees.
2. §. This will best be seen by some Instances. So the Flower of Mezereon, which opens in January, is entirely formed about the midle of August in the year foregoing. At which time, the Green Leaves of the Bud being cautiously removed, Tab. 63. the Leaves of the Flower, and the Thecæ Seminiformes or Seed-like Attire, encompassing the Seed-Case, through an indifferent Glass, are all distinctly visible.
3. §. The like may be seen in Sirynga, and other Shrubs, and in Trees. In as many of which, as are Frugiferous, the Fruit also, which answers to the Seed-Case in other Plants, is about the same time entirely formed.
4. §. And so in Herbs; as the Flower of Asarum, which appeareth in April or May, is entirely formed in August or July of the foregoing year. For there are here, as well as in Trees, Tab. 64. Two Sorts of Buds; some which are composed only of Green Leaves; and some which also contein a Flower and the Seed-Case. So in Bears-foot, by some called the January Rose, the Flower-Buds, which open in January are all formed in or before the Month of August in the year preceding.
5. §. The same may also be seen about the end of August or the beginning of September in a Tulip-Root. Tab. 63. In which, the Two Inmost Shells dryer than the rest, stand hollow, with the little young Flower (which appears in March or April following) inclosed now in their Centre. Being thus kept warm and dry, lest it should either perish, or be precipitated upon the Winter, by sprouting too soon.
6. §. From hence it is plain, That although the Flower appears before the Seed; yet if the comparison be made betwixt the Flower and Seed of the same year; the Seed is first formed, and afterward the Flower. That is, the Seed, for which Nature chooses the Firstborn Sap, is formed in the fore part of the year: which work being finished, out of the less fœcund part of the Sap, the Flowers intended for the Sire and Matrix of the next years Seed; is afterwards produced.
7. §. THE true Time of the Generation of the Flower being know’n, it may also be an Inducement to make Tryal, for the bringing of many Flowers to grow fairly in Winter, which are used to grow, that is, to appear, only in the Spring and Summer: sc. by keeping the Plants warm, and thereby enticing the young lurking Flowers to come abroad.