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THE R E have been within lefs than a 

 Century very great and ufeful difco- 

 veries made in the amazingly beautiful fir uv- 

 ture and nature of the animal (economy \ neither 

 have Tlants faffed unobfcrved in this inqui- 

 fitive age, which has with fuch diligence ex- 

 tended its inquiries in feme degree, into almofi 

 every branch of natures inexbauflible fund 



of wonderful works. 



We find in theThilofephical Tranfaflions, 



and in the Uiflory of tie Royal Academy of 

 Sciences, accounts of many curious Experi- 

 ments and Obfervations made from time to 

 time on Vegetables, by fever al ingenious and 

 inqnifittve Terfens : But our countryman 

 <Dr. Grcvr^Mf-Malpigl^ were the firft, who, 

 tho in very dijlant countries, did nearly at 

 the fame time, unknown to each other, ingage 

 in a very diligent and thorough inquiry into 

 the flructure of the vej .< of 'Plants ; a pro- 

 vince, whn ' till then had U i n umulf. tel 



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