THE 



PREFACE. 



THE R E have been within lefs than a 

 Century very great and ufeful difco- 

 veries made in the amazingly beautiful fit 'uc- 

 ture and nature of the animal (economy \neither 

 have Tlants paffed unobferved in this inqui- 

 fitive age, which has with fuch diligence ex- 

 tended its inquiries infome degree, into almoft 

 every branch of natures inexhaufiible fund 

 °f wonderful works. 



We find in theThilofophical Tranfa£fions y 

 and in the Hiftory of the Royal Academy of 

 Sciences, accounts of many curious Experi- 

 ments and Obfervations made from time to 

 time on Vegetables, by fever al ingenious and 

 inquifltive Terfons : But our countryman 

 *Dr. Grew and Malpighi were the firfi, who? 

 tho' in very difiant countries, did nearly at 

 the fa?ne time, unknown to each other, ingage 

 in a very diligent and thorough inquiry into 

 the flrufture of the veffels ofTlants ; a pro- 

 vince, which till then had layn uncultivated. 



They 



