PART I.

CHAP. I.

The Descriptions of several Trunks, as they appear to the bare Eye.

TO the end we may clearly understand, what the Trunk, Stalk, or Branch of a Plant, is; I shall by these Figures here before us, Describe the several Parts, whereof it is compounded.

1. §. And for examples sake, I shall in the first place, Describe the Trunks of some Plants, as being cut tranversly, and accurately observ’d, they appear to the naked Eye. And some others, as by the length. Which having done, I shall next proceed to a more particular Description of divers other Trunks and Branches as they appear through a good Microscope. In both shewing, not only what their several Parts are, as generally belonging to a Branch; but also, by a Comparative Prospect, in what respects they are specifically distinguished one from another, in the several Sorts of Branches.

2. §. I SHALL begin where the Work of Nature appears less Diversify’d: as in the Stalk of Maze or Indian Wheat. In which, although there are the same Parenchymous and Lignous Parts, as in all other Plants; Tab. 18. yet is there neither Barque, nor Pith; the Vessels being dispersed and mixed with the Parenchyma, from the Circumference to the Centre of the Stalk: Saving, that in and next the Skin, there seems to be no Aer-Vessels. Every where else, they run up, like fine Threds, through the length of the Stalk: Each Thred being also surrounded with Sap-Vessels; which in a Slice cut transversly, appear in very small and dark colour’d Rings. The like structure may also be seen in the Sugar-Cane, and some other Plants.

3. §. LET the next Trunk be that of Taraxacum, or Dandelion. In a slice whereof, being cut transversly, is seen next the Skin, first, a simple, white, and close Parenchyma or Barque; Tab. 18. made up of Vesicles; but such as are exceeding small; and hardly visible without a Glass.

4. §. Within This, stand Milk-Vessels in seven or eight distinct Colums, of different size: each Colum being also made up of seven or eight Arched Lines. Betwixt these Colums, run as many Diametral Portions, derived from the Barque, into or towards the Pith.

5. §. Next within These, stand the Aer-Vessels. Which are likewise divided, by the said Diametral Portions, into divers Arched Lines. The size of these Vessels, as well as their number, is small.

6. §. Within These, stands the Pith, consisting of very small Vesicles or Bladders, as the Barque. ’Tis very small, the Diameter hereof, being scarce one fifth, of that of the Pith of Borage. But the Barque of Borage is not half so thick as this of Dandelion.

7. §. FOR a Third Stalk, we may take that of Borage; wherein there is some further Variety. For in a slice hereof, cut transversly, there appears, first a Tough, yet Thin and Transparent Skin. Within this Skin, and Continuous therewith, there is also a Thin Ring of Sap-Vessels: Tab. 18. which, without being crushed in the least, do yield a Lympha.

8. §. Next standeth the Parenchyma of the Barque. Which is made up of a great number of very small Vesicles or Bladders. Upon the inner Verge of this Parenchyma, standeth another Ring of Sap-Vessels: which also yield a Lympha; and that different, as is probable, from the Lympha in the utmost Ring. Hitherto goes the Barque.

9. §. Adjacent to the Ring of Sap-Vessels, on the inner Verge of Barque, stand the Aer-Vessels on the outer Verge of the Pith. Not in a Ring; but in several Parcels; some Parcels or Conjugations, in the figure of little Specks; others, in little Arched Lines, almost like an V Consonant. And being viewed in a good Glass, there appears to be within the compass of every larger Speck or Parcel, about 20 or 30 Aer-Vessels and within the smallest, about 8 or 10.

10. §. The Pith, in a well grown Stalk of this Plant; is always hollow. But originally, it is entire. It is likewise wholly made up of a great number of Vesicles: of which, through a Glass, some appear Pentangular, others Sexangular, and Septangular. Most of them are larger than those of the Barque; so as to be plainly visible to a naked Eye.

11. §. A FOURTH Trunk, shall be that of Colewort, which seems likewise, to have at least, two Sorts of Lymphæducts. For being cut transversly, as the former, we may observe, next the Skin, a very close Parenchyma, of a darkish Green. Wherewith are mixed some few Sap Vessels, which give it that Colour.

12. §. Within This, stands a scalloped Parenchymous Ring, or a Ring of many short and slender white Arches. Tab. 18. Which all round about the Barque, meeting together, run in so many white Diametral Portions, or extream small Rays, into the Pith.

13. §. Betwixt these white Rays, and next of all to the said white Arches, stand as many small Parcels of Sap-Vessels, like so many little Half-Ovals. Within each of which, is included a white Parenchyma.

14. §. On the inner Verge of the Barque, stands another Sort of Sap-Vessels, in one slender and entire Ring. And so far goes the Barque.

15. §. Next within this Ring stand the Aer-Vessels, in several Parcels, diametrically opposite to the said white Parenchymous Parcels next without the Sap-Ring.

16. §. Last of all, and more within the Pith, stand the same kind of Sap-Vessels, as those of the Half-Ovals. Both these, by small lines, run one into another; thus, on both sides, hemming in the Aer-Vessels, and so making altogether, so many little Pyramids.

17. §. LET a Fifth be that of Holyoak. In which, the Curiosity of Nature, is still more copious: presenting us, as it seems, with Three sorts of Lymphæducts; Of which, two yield a Thin; the Third, a Thick Lympha. For being cut, as before, next to the Skin, stands the Barque; somewhat close, and, in proportion, Thick.

18. §. Towards the inner Verge hereof, stand one sort of Sap-Vessels, postur’d in short Rays. These Vessels yield a Mucilage. And on the inner Verge of the Barque, stands a Thin Ring of other Sap-Vessels, which yield a thinner Liquor. Tab. 18.

19. §. Next within the Barque stand the Aer-Vessels, postur’d likewise in short Rays, diametrically opposite to those in the Barque. In every Ray, there are about twelve or sixteen Vessels.

20. §. Lastly, and more within the Pith, there stand other Sap-Vessels, all in very Thin or Slender Arched-Lines; thus hemming in the several Parcels of Aer-Vessels.

21. §. FOR a Sixth, I will take that of Wild Cucumer: Wherein is also found a Mucilaginous Lympha. For first of all, next to the Skin, there is a Ring of Sap-Vessels. Which Ring is also radiated, the Rays, all poynting towards, and most of them terminating on, the Skin. Tab. 18.

22. §. Next of all, there is a thick, and simple Parenchymous Ring. On the inner Verge whereof, there are other Sap-Vessels standing in Parcels, also in a Ring. So far goes the Barque.

23. §. Next within, stand the Aer-Vessels, in as many Parcels, contiguous to those of the Sap-Vessels aforesaid. To which likewise are adjoyned as many more Parcels of Sap-Vessels within the Pith, opposite to the said Sap-Vessels within the Barque.

24. §. FOR a Seventh, we may choose that of Scorzonera. In which, the Vessels are both Lymphæducts, and Lactiferous. All of them, with the Aer-Vessels, in a radiated posture. For first next the outer Edg of the Barque, stand the Lactiferous, in little Specks. Tab. 18. Next to these, on the inner Edg of the Barque, stand the Lymphæducts, in the same form.

25. §. Hereunto adjacent, on the outer Edg of the Pith, stand the Aer-Vessels, some in Specks, and some in extream short Lines; hardly distinguished, without a very nice Inspection.

26. §. Within These, are placed other Lymphæducts, opposite to those in the Barque. And within these Lymphæducts, still in the same radiated Line, run more of the Milk-Vessels.

27. §. AN EIGHTH, may be that of Burdock; Wherein first, there are a Sort of Lymphæducts, which stand in Arched Parcels, round the Trunk, adjacent to the Skin. Tab. 18.

28. §. Within these, about the middle of the Barque, run the Milk-Vessels, in the form of small round Specks.

29. §. Next to these on the inner Edg of the Barque are placed other Lymphæducts. Which, together with more of the same in the Pith, and the Aer-Vessels betwixt them, stand all in Radiated Lines, of several Lengths, and all sharpning towards the Centre.

30. §. LET the Ninth, be that of Endive: In which there is also much curious Work. Tab. 18. Next to the Skin, there is, first, a thick and simple Parenchyma. Then there is a kind of Undulated Ring of Milk-Vessels. Within which stand a Sort of Lymphæducts, in several Parcels; some, in Arched Half-Ovals; others, in short slender Rays. Betwixt these Parcels, many of the Milk-Vessels likewise stand.

31. §. Next there is an undulated Ring of other Lymphæducts, parting as in most Trunks, betwixt the Barque and the Pith. Within which, are the Aer-Vessels. And within These, more Sap-Vessels. Both of them, in small Specks, answerable, or opposite to the Rays in the Barque.

Tab. 18. 32. §. I SHALL give also one or two Examples of Trees, or Arborescent Plants; the Vine and Common Sumach. In a Slice of the former cut transversly, next the Skin, there is a Thin Barque. In the inner part whereof, adjacent to the Wood, stand the Lymphæducts in several Half-Oval Parcels, opposite to so many Radiated Pieces of the Wood.

35. §. Within the hollow of the Wood, stands the Pith; in the young Growths always large. In the utmost Verge whereof, adjacent to the Wood, stand a few more Sap-Vessels of the same Sort with those in the Barque.

Tab. 18. 36. §. IN A like Slice of Common Sumach, contiguous to the hairy Skin, there is a Ring of Lymphæducts. Next to this a Simple Parenchyma. Then several Arched Parcels of Lymphæducts. Within these, a Ring of Milk-Vessels. And then a Ring of other Lymphæducts. Thus far the Barque.

38. §. The hollow of the Wood is filled up with the Pith. In the Circumference of which, stands a Ring of Lymphæducts, of the same sort with those next to the Wood without.

39. §. All the Parts of these Trunks, may, as I have now described them, be observed without a Microscope: excepting the Bladders and number of Aer-Vessels. Yet Three things are hereunto necessary; viz. a good Eye, a clear Light, and a Rasor, or very keen Knife, wherewith to cut them with a smooth surface, and so as not to Dislocate the Parts.

40. §. UPON Inspection also by the length, there are some particulars, common, more or less, to most Plants, yet better observable in some, than in others. As first, the Reticulation of the Vessels, (formerly described) not only in the Wood, but in the Barque: Tab. 19. which is evident in a young Branch of Corin, upon the very Surface thereof, when some of the Vessels begin to be cast off into the Skin. And so, by stripping off the Skin, upon the Surface of the Wood.

41. §. In cutting by the length, as well as transversly, the young Fibres, which grow within the Wood in the Edg of the Pith, are also seen. As likewise the manner of the Derivation of the Parts of the Bud from the Branch or Stalk; as in Sonchus. There are also many Varieties in the Pith, such as those hereafter mentioned⁠[57] which fall under observation only in cutting by the length.