THE 



PREFACE. 



THERE have been, within lefs 

 than a Century ', very great and 

 ufeful di [cover ies made in the amazingly 

 beautiful Jlruclure and nature of the 

 animal ceconomy ; neither have Plants 

 faffed unobferved in this inquifitive age, 

 which has with fuch dilige?ice extended 

 its iitquiries, infome degree ', into almofl 

 every branch of Nature s inexhauflible 

 fund of wonderful works. 



We fnd in the Philofophical Tranf- 

 a&ions, and in the Hiflory of the Royal 

 Academy of Sciences ', accounts of many 

 curious Experiments and Obfervations 

 made from time to time on Vegetables, 

 by fever al ingenious and inquifitive Per- 

 Jons : But our countryman Dr. Grew, 

 and Malpighi, were the firfi, who, thd 



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