Book IV. of Seeds. 
` in larger parcels of Enphorbinm 3 for which Canfe, Hfufpe&t it to be the 
Gumm of a Plant of the Tithymal kind. 
2. $. Ifthe Cover of the Seed be ftony and very hard, it is alfo 
diftinguifhed into feveral Pieces; whereby they cafily cleave afunder 
without much refiftance to the eruption of the Root. So the Shel ofa 
Hazel-nut eafily cleavs on the edg 5 and the cleft begins beft at the 
poynt, wherethe Root ftands and fhoots forth. The Shell of fome, 
Walnuts cleavs into three Parts; and the Stone of the Bellerick Myro- * 
balan into five: that fo, being very thick and hard, ifone piece fhould 
not yield, another may not failto do it. And the Covers or Husks of 
fome forts of Grain, as of Millet, are only folded or laped one over 
another, the better to give way to their tender Sprouts. 
3. 5. Belides the Kernels of Plums and fome other Fruits, there 
are very many Seeds, even of the {maller fort, which have alfo ftony 
Covers; as of Carthamum, Myagrum monofpermon, Beet, Borage , 
Lithofperme, Amaranthus, Violet, &c. Sometimes, for the reception of 
the harfher and lefs matured Principles from the Seed,in its Generation, 
asin Borage. Commonly, to keep it warmer before and after its fow’n. 
For which purpofe, the outer Covers of fome Seeds, are as it were 
Lined with Fur: in that of Great Maple, Short; of Goffipivm, Long. 
And if the Seed requires a longer ftay under ground, the hardnefi of 
the Cover ferves to {tint the Aliment; left too much, fhould either rot 
it, or caufe it to germinate, before its proper {eafon, or full time for a 
more Mafeuline Growth. 
4. 9. On the contrary, many Seeds, as thofe of Clary, Garden- 
Crefs, and others of that Tribe, have their upper Covers faced with a 
Mucilage: which being eafily receptive of any Moyfture in the Ground, 
gradually (wells, till it lies like a Gelly round about the Seed. Ei- 
ther fora more plentiful fupply of Aliment ; or at leaft, to foften the 
Covers, the better to accelerate the Growth of the Seed. 
5. $. The proceß of Nature in the feveral fteps of the Vegetation 
of the Seed, hath formerly been explained. (a) 
6. $. THE COVERS ofall, or at leaft the far greater num- 
ber of Seeds, are Three; fome way or other derived from the Pith : 
as fhall hereafter be feen. And fometimes, Four: even thot of fton’d 
Fruits, have Three, befides the Stone. Inthat of Goffipium, there are 
Two Coats under that lined with the Cottoz. The Seeds of Cucumer, 
Goats-beard, Broom, Scabions, Lettice, &c. although fo fmall, have 
plainly Three Coats. Butin fome of thefe, and many more, there are 
only Two diftinéty vifible, except in the State of Generation, 
7. §. In the Upper Coat, the Seed-Vefels are difleminated. The 
Second, is firt a meer Pulp; but afterwards fhrinksup and fticks clofe 
tothe upper. The Third or Inmoft ismore denfe; and if it be thin, 
for the moft part, tranfparents whereby the Seed feems fometimes to 
be naked while it lies therein; as in Almonds, Cucumers, and the like. 
For this fticks not to the midle Coat, as that doth to the outer ; but 
commonly, remains entire, after thofe are (tripp'd off, being as it were, 
the Smock of the Seed. 
8. $. In Melifa and fome other fmall Seeds, it comes finely off up- 
on foaking in warm Water or on the Tongue. In Fenugreck, ‘tis foft, 
and of an Amber-Colour ; and being moyftened, looks almoft like fine 
Glew. Butcommonly, tisa prety tough Membrane, and often with 
Ti fome 
Tab. 75. 
Tab. 76. 
