(14°) 



tricated in their motion, by meer chance into fuch 

 beautifull bodies. 



It is no unufuall Theme to treat of the admirable 

 handfomenefle and beauty in the compolure of divers 

 Vegetables, and to ihe-v how Nature doth ycutjarsu v 

 in them , and characterize out fuch variety of ele- 

 gant figures, that every plant fhall feem to have 

 more of Mathematical! art^than theKnot wherein it is 

 fet: And tis generally noted, that Gods Providence is 

 exceeding good in appointing Nature , and making ic 

 her end to continue fome individual^ of everySpecies 

 for the prefervation of the kinde.That likewife the 

 fame Providence has approved to its felfe a moft ex- 

 cellent wifdom in the choife of molt certain meanes, 

 for the attainment of this end,it has been mine , and 

 may be an ealie confideration to any other. 



For what other end , thought I , are there fo 

 many coates , and fuch cotton veitmer.c to feeds, 

 but to defend their tenderneffe ? Why fuch hard 

 {tones to other , but to hinder their premature 

 fpringing , whereby the coldnefle of Whiter 

 would kill ( as in Aprecots , Peaches , Nec-larihes, 

 &e.) their tender feedlings ? Why is the ground 

 in Woods covered with Molfe , but that Nature in- 

 tended it as a prefervation to feeds fallen upon the 

 Turfe in the violence of Winter Frofts ? Why has 

 Nature befet fhrubs with prickles , but to defend 

 the tender buds in which the hope of future growth 

 is repofed from the browfing of cartel 1 in the Winter? 

 and that this was the end of Providence in it may be 

 conjectured fromhence,becaufethofe fhrubs which are 

 not all over thorny, have a guard of Thornes directly 

 upon the bud & not elfe where, as if (ingularly inters 

 dedforits fecurrty. Sous fcenin the Goofeberry, 



$3W« 



