50 NEHEMIAH GREW 



simplified leaves are borne next above the cotyledons, or, as he 

 expresses it, the " Plume " is " cooped up betwixt a pair of 

 Surfoyls." 



Grew deals also with the vernation of leaves, and methods of 

 bud protection. He shews that their position and folding gives 

 "two general advantages to the Leaves, Elegance and Security, 

 sc. in taking up, so far as their Forms will bear, the least room ; 

 and in being so conveniently couch 'd, as to be capable of receiving 

 protection from other parts, or of giving it to one another ; as 

 for instance, First, There is the P lam-Lap, where the Leaves 

 are all laid somewhat convexly one over another, but not plaited ; 

 being to the length, breadth and number of Leaves most agree- 

 able ; as in the Buds of Pear-tree, Plum-tree, etc. But where 

 the Leaves are not thick set, as to stand in the Plain-lap, there 

 we have the Plicature ; as in Rose-tree, Strawberry, Cinquefoyl, 

 Burnet etc." Grew refers also to rolled vernation, distinguishing 

 between the " Fore-Rowl" and the " Back-Rowl." He thus 

 remarks on the hairy covering characteristic of young leaves : 

 " the Hairs being then in form of a Down, alwayes very thick set, 

 thus give that protection to the Leaves, which their exceeding 

 tenderness then requires ; so that they seem to be vested with 

 a Coat of Frieze, or to be kept warm like young and dainty- 

 Chickens, in Wooll." 



In the year following the publication of The Anatomy of 

 Vegetables Begun, Nehemiah Grew produced a second treatise, 

 under the title, "An Idea of a Phytological History Propounded. 

 Together with a Continuation of the Anatomy of Vegetables ; 

 Particularly prosecuted upon Roots. And an Account of the 

 Vegetation of Roots Grounded chiefly thereupon." In the 

 dedications of his books Grew often reveals much of his own 

 personality, and of his attitude towards science, although such 

 revelations are apt to be mingled with the curious "conceits," 

 and extravagant flattery, characteristic of the time. For instance 

 he dedicated this particular work to the President and Fellows 

 of the Royal Society, and after addressing to them some apolo- 

 getic remarks about his own performance, he takes heart of 

 grace from the thought that "how unpromising soever the Stock 

 may be, yet the Fruit cannot but be somewhat matured upon 



