298 NATURAL HISTORY. 



imputed to some moisture that is gathered between 

 the prickles, which putrified by the sun germinateth. 

 But I remember also I have seen, for a great rarity, 

 one rose grow out of another like honeysuckles, that 

 they call top and top-gallants. 



647. Barley, as appeareth in the malting, being 

 steeped in water three days, and afterwards the 

 water drained from it, and the barley turned upon 

 a dry floor, will sprout half an inch long at least : 

 and if it be let alone, and not turned, much more ; 

 until the heart be out. Wheat will do the same. 

 Try it also with peas and beans. This experiment 

 is not like that of the orpine and semper-vive, for 

 there it is of the old store, for no water is added ; 

 but here it is nourished from the water. The ex 

 periment would be farther driven : for it appeareth 

 already, by that which hath been said, that earth is 

 not necessary to the first sprouting of plants, and 

 we see that rose-buds set in water will blow : there 

 fore try whether the sprouts of such grains may not 

 be raised to a farther degree, as to an herb, or 

 flower, with water only, or some small commixture 

 of earth : for if they will, it should seem by the ex 

 periments before, both of the malt and of the roses, 

 that they will come far faster on in water than in 

 earth ; for the nourishment is easilier drawn out of 

 water than out of earth. It may give some light 

 also, that drink infused with flesh, as that with 

 the capon, &c. will nourish faster and easilier than 

 meat and drink together. Try the same experiment 



