Book I. E of Plants. 35 
CHAP. V. 
Of the FLOWER. 
% E next proceed to the Flower. The general. Parts 
whereof are moft commonly three ; fe. the Em- 
palement, the Foliation, and the Attire. 
2. $. The Empalement, whether of one or more 
pieces, I call that which is the utmoft Part of the 
Flower, encompafling the other two. ‘Tis com- 
pounded of the three general Parts, the Skin, the 
Cortical and Lignous Bodies, each Empaler (where there are divers) 
being as another little Leafs as in thofe of a Quince-Flower, as oft 
as they happen to be overgrown, is well feen. As likewife in the 
Primrofe, with the green Flower; commonly fo call'd, though by a 
miftake: For that which feems to be the Flower, is only the more 
flourilhing Empalement, the Flower it {elf being White, But the con- 
tinuation of all the three aforefaid Parts into cach Empaler, is difeo- 
verable, I think, no where better than in an Artichoke, which is a 
true Flower, and whofe Empalers are of that aniplitude, as fairly to 
fhew them all: As alfo, that the Original of the Skin of each Empaler 
or Leaf is not diftin& from that of the reft; but to be all one piece, 
fer- laid in fo many Plaits or Duplicatures, as there are Leaves, from the 
om outermoft to the inner and moft Central ones, 
3. $- The Defign of the Empalement, is to be Security and Bands 
tothe other two Parts ofthe Flower : To be their Security before its 
Opening, by intercepting all extremities of Weather : Afterwards to be 
their Bands, and firmly to contain all their Parts in their due and 
CU) 
NV 
ld; + moft decorous poltnre: fo that a Flower without its Enpalement, 
W- would hang as uncouth and taudry, as a Lady without her Bodies. 
by 4. §. Hence we have the reafon why it is various, and fometimes 
wanting. Some Flowers have none, as Tulips; for having a fat and 
frim Leaf, and each Leaf likewife ftanding on abroad and ftrong Ba- 
fis, they are thus fafficient to themfelves. Carnations, on the con- 
trary, have not only an Empalement, but that (for more firmitude ) 
of one piece: For otherwife, the Foot, of each Leaf being very long 
and flender, moft of them would be apt to break out of compaß : 
yet isthe top ofthe Espalement indented alfo; that the Indentments, 
by being lapp’d over the Leaves before their expanfion, may then 
Protect them and by being fpread under them afterwards, may bet- 
ter(houlder and prop them up. And if the Feet of the Leaves be 
both long and very tender too, here the Empalement is numerous, 
though confilting of feveral pieces ; yet thofe in divers Rounds, and 
all with a counterchangeable refpe& to each other (which alfo the 
Learned Sir Thomas Brown obferves )as in all Kwapweeds, and other 
Flowers; whereby, how commodious they are for both the aforefaid 
ends, may eafily be conceivd 5 and well enough exemplified by the 
Scales of Fifbes, whereunto, as to their pofition, they have not an 
unapt refemblance. 
L2 5. $ 
