O the forementioned Fruits, I shall subjoyne, in some Examples, the Description of the Seed-Case, which is analogous to the Fruit. For the Fruit, strictly so called, is, A Fleshy Uterus, which grows more moist and Pulpy, as the Seed ripens. But the Seed-Case, whether it be called a Cod, Pod, or by any other name, is, A Membraneous Uterus, which as the Seed ripens, still grows the more dry and hard: as in most Plants.
2. §. THE SEED-CASE, is either originally open; Or only when the Seed is ripe; Or never opens at all, till the Seed be sown. Of the first Sort, is that of Luteola; as also of Clary, Sage, Hysop, and the like: wherein one and the same Part, is both the Empalement of the Flower, and when that is gone, survives as the Case of the Seed.
3. §. Of the Last, is that of Myagrum Monspermon, Lithosperme, all the Stones of Fruits, with divers others. And some Cases, which are soft, as, I think, that of Garden Radish. The former, by cleaving in some part or other; these only by roting under Ground.
4. §. THAT of Garden Radish, is a Light and Spongy or Pithy Body; originally, every where entire. But, as it ripens, breaks within, into several White and Dry Membranes round about the Seed. Tab. 70. By the Length and about ⅛ᵗʰ of an Inch distant from the Sides of the Case, do run a pair of little Vascular Ropes. Some smaller Fibres are from these transmitted to the Sides of the Case; by which they are kept tite and steady. Upon divers others produced towards the Centre, hang the Seeds, like Two Ropes of Onions.
5. §. Of those which open so soon as the Seed is ripe; some are made to open at the Top, as Popy Heads; Some on the Side, as most Cods; and some at the Bottom, as that of Coded Arsmart.
6. §. THE Popy-Head, is a little Dove Coat; divided by Eight or Ten Partitions, into so many Stalls. On both Sides the Partitions, hangs a most numerous Brood of Seeds. Tab. 70. The Partitions and Sides of the Head, are made of the Barque, and Lined with the Pith. While young, they are very thick and spongy; and together with the Seeds, do then fill all up. The Head is then also every where entire; but as it dries, it gradually opens at the Top, into several Windows, one for every Stall: which are all covered with a very fair Canopy. A Fabrick designed for several purposes, as shall hereafter be said.
7. §. Of those which open on the Side; some are made to open, only on One Side; some, on both Sides; some, with Three Sides; some, with more; and some horizontally or round about.
8. §. THE COD of Garden Bean (and so the rest of the Leguminous kind) opens on one Side. It hath a Twofold Parenchyma. The Utmost derived from the Barque: in which stand all the Vessels, in several Parcels; Tab. 70. one whereof, at the Back of the Cod, is much larger than the rest, shaped like a Copula used in Schemes; from whence shoot those lesser Fibres upon which the Beans do grow.
9. §. The Inner Parenchyma is derived from the Pith. Upon its Nativity, and for some time afterwards, entire and wholly composed of Bladders, as the Outer. From the Base of the Cod they are gradually enlarged, so as to compose this Parenchyma into a very soft and delicate Sponge. Tab. 70. In which (the Cod being well grown) the very Threds whereof the Bladders were woven, are many of them so loose and ample, as easily to be drawn out (as in the unroaving of Knit-work) to a considerable Length, fairly visible through an ordinary Glass.
B. 2. P. 1. Ch. 5. & B. 3. P. 1. Ch. 4. 10. §. This may further confirm all that I have formerly said of the Fibrous Texture of the Pith, and of all the other Parenchymous Parts of Plants.
11. §. THE Seed-Case of Medica, is a Cod wound up: in the Echinata, Spirally; in the Tornata, by an Helix. Not finished all together; but, upon the fall of the Flower, beginning to wind, continues its Circles, till it be come to its full Growth.
12. §. THE Seed-Case of Yellow Henbean opens on both Sides. Tab. 70. On the Top, is erected a Colum, about ½ an Inch long; which, as the Case swells, grows less, and at last falls off. On the Sides of the Uterus or Case, Two Vascular Fibres run oppositely from the bottom to the top, and so into the Colum. Along the Tract of these Fibres, the Case, as it ages, gradually cleaves on both Sides asunder.
13. §. The Case is lined with a dry and thin Parchment, as smooth as Glass. Tab. 70. In the Centre of the Case, stands a great Parenchymous Boss, which is, as it were, the Bed or Placentula of the Seeds; which lie all over it, as in a Strawberry. And so in many other Plants. Throughout this Bed, the Vessels for the Generation and Nourishment of the Seeds, are distributed; one very small Fibre, shooting, from the direct ones, obliquely into each Seed.
14. §. THE Seed-Case of Tulip, opens with Three Sides; being, when young, a Prism or long Triangle. From the midle of each Side, a Partition or Boord is produced; all three meeting in the Centre of the Case; Tab. 71. and so parting it into Six Stalls for the Seed. The insides hereof, are, lined with a thin smooth and glossy Parchment, like that in Hen-bean; derived from the Pith; as the outside, from the Barque: and so in many other Seed-Cases.
15. §. The Vessels, after they rise above the Stalk, are disposed with great artifice. For first, they are divided into Three principal Branches, which run a long the Three Angles of the Case; Tab. 71. where the Three Sides, as it ages, gradually cleave asunder. From these chief Branches, at the Three Angles, divers lesser ones run horizontally, and meet at the midle of each Side. From whence again, many yet smaller ones are produced through the bredth of each Partition to their Edges in the Centre of the Case. Where, once more, they are distributed into very fine and short Threds, whereupon hang the Seeds.
16. §. THE Seed-Case of Stramonium or Thorn Apple, is divided into Four Closets: Not open one into another, as in Poppy, Tulip, &c. but so many distinct Inclosures. Tab. 71. In the midst of each Closet stands a Colum, joyned to the Side of the Closet by a Wall or Lamine. Through the Length of the Colums run several greater and lesser Branches of Vessels, from whence others are obliquely produced, upon which the Seeds grow.
17. §. THE Seed-Case of Anagallis or Pimpernel, is a little Globe; which opens not by its Meridian or Vertically, as do the former; but by its Horizon. Tab. 71. For divers very small Fibres, being produced from the Stalk to the midle of the Case; do there fetch a Circle, and so divide it exactly into Two Hemispheres: the Uppermost of which, when the Seeds are ripe, falleth off; and so the wind sowes them.
18. §. THE Seed-Case of Coded Arsmart, neither opens at the Top, nor on the Sides, as do all the former; but at the Bottom. It is composed of Four Sides: the Outer Part of which, is softer and more succulent; Tab. 71. the Inner a tite and strong Membrane. In the Centre of the Case, is erected a Pole or Colum upon which the Seeds do all hang very loosely.
19. §. From this Mechanism, the manner of that violent and surprising Ejaculation of the Seeds, is intelligible. Which is not a motion originally in the Seeds themselves; but contrived by the Structure of the Case. For the Seeds hanging very loose, and not on the Sides of the Case, as sometimes, but on the Pole, in the Centre, with their thicker end downward, they stand ready for a discharge: and the Sides of the Case being lined with a strong and Tensed Membrane, they hereby perform the office of so many little Bows: which, remaining fast at the Top, and (contrary to what we see in other Plants) opening or being lett off at the Bottom, forceably curle upward, and so drive all the Seeds before them.