Philofophical Hiftory f Plants, 
5. $. And how far foeverthis kind of Knowledge may be attaina- 
ble, its being fo far alfo worthy our attainment will be granted. For 
bcholding the Many and Elegant Varieties, wherewith a Field or 
Garden is adorned ; Who would not fay, That it were exceeding plea- 
fant to know what we See: and not more delightful, to one who has 
Eyes, to difcernthat all is very fine; than to another who hath Reson, 
to underftand how, This furely were for a Man to take a True In- 
ventory of his Goods, and hisbeft way to puta price upon them. Yea 
it feems, that this were not only to be Partaker of Divine Bounty 5 
but alfo, in fome degree, To be Copartner in the Secrets of Divine Art. 
That which were very defireable, unleß we fhould think it imperti- 
neat for us to defign the Knowing of That, which God hath once 
thought fit to Do. 
of all, What may offer it {elf to be enquired of ; or to underftand, 
what our Scope is: 
making, and having made, in applying our Obfervations thereunto, 
Amongft other Inquiries therefore, fuch as thefe 
poled. Firft, by what means it is that a Plant, or any Part ofit, 
Parts, to the Seedagain 3 and all thefe being formed, by continual Nu- 
trition ftill to be increafed. How the Aliment by which a Plant is 
fed, is duly prepared in its feveral Parts 3: which Way it is conveyed 
unto them; and in what manner it is affimilated to their tefpective Na- 
tures in them all. Whence this Growth and Augmentation, is not 
made ofone, but many differing Degrees, unto both 
and great; whether the comparifon be made betwixt 
the feveral Parts ofone. How not only their si 
Shapes are fo exceeding various; as of Roots, 
der, Short or Long, Entire or Parted, Stringed or Ramified, and the 
like: of Trunks, fome being more Entire. ol 
Shrub'd: of Leaves, which are Long or Round, Even-edg’d or Ef 
callop'd, and many other ways different, yet ys E 
the other Parts. 
et and peculiar Sea/os for their Spring or 
Birth, for their Full Growth, and for 
Further, what may be the Caufes as of t 
fo of the Periods of their Lives; fome be 
tion of the health and life of the whol, And laftly, 
es, but for their Posterity in 
e what 
