69. §. Many Lactiferous Roots, as Taraxacum and others of that kind, are not so much hot, as bitter. For although by the Lactiferous Vessels they are very Oyly; yet those Vessels being posited in Rings, and not in Rays, and having no Diametral Portions running through their Barque to the Aer-Vessels; Tab. 13. the Acido-Aerial Parts do hereby, although not mortifie, yet so far refract the saline, lightly binding up the Oleous therewith, as to produce a bitter Taste. So, many sweet Bodies, upon burning, become bitter; the Acid Parts, now becoming rampant, and more copiously mixed with the Oleous.

70. §. The Roots, or other Parts, of many Umbelliferous Plants, have a sweetish Taste, as both the Sweet, and Common Chervil; both the Garden, and wild Carrot; Parsnep, Fenil, &c. the Saline Principles being concentred in the Oyly, and both of a moderate quantity with respect to the rest. For by the Oyly, the Saline is rendred more smooth and amicable; and both being moderate, they are not therefore hot, as in some other Umbelliferous Roots; but by the predominion of the other Principles, made mild. Hence it is, that Sugar it self is sweet, scil. because it is an Oleous Salt; as is manifest, from its being highly inflammable; its easie dissolution by a moderate Fire, without the addition of Water; and in that, being melted with Turpentine, and other Oily Bodies, it will mix together with them. So also the Acid Parts of Vinegar, being concentred in the Salino-sulphureous of Lead, produce a Sugar. Hence Barley, which upon Distillation or Decoction yeildeth only an acid; being turned into Mault, becomes sweet. Because, being steeped, couched, and so fermented, the oleous parts are thereby unlocked, and becoming rampant, over the other Principles, altogether produce that Taste. And the Bile it self, which, next to Water and Earth, consisteth most of oily parts, and of many both saline and acid is a bitter-sweet. Wherein, as some of the Saline and Acid parts, smoothed by the Oleous, produce a Sweet: So, some of the Oleous, impregnated with the Saline, and the Acid, doe hereby produce a Bitter.