64 



A DISCOURSE 



BOOK I. boughs, the whole body and external part covered and invested with a 

 '^^''^^ thick rind or cortex. These terra^-fihi are what we call Timber- trees, 

 the chief subject of our following Discourse. ~- 



Trees are distinguished into subordinate species. Frutices, or Shrubs, 

 are ligneous trees, though of a lower and humbler growth, less spreading, 

 and rising up in several stems, emerging from the same root, yielding 

 plenty of suckers, which being separated, and often carrying with them 

 some small fibre, are easily propagated and planted out for a numerous 

 store; and this, being clad with a more tender bark, seems to differ 

 the frutex from other arboreous kinds ; since as to the shaft and stems 

 of such as we account dwarf and pumilo, they rise often to tall and 

 stately trees, in the more genial and benign climes 



Suffrutices are Shrubs lower than the former, lignescent, and more 

 approaching to the stalky herbs Lavender, Rue, &c. but not apt to 

 decay so soon after they have seeded ; whilst both these kinds seem also 

 little more to differ from one another, than do trees from them : all of 

 them consisting of the same variety of parts, according to their kinds and 

 structure, covered with some woody, hard, membraneous or tender rind, 

 suitable to their constitution, and to protect them from outward injuries ; 

 producing likewise buds, leaves, blossoms, and flow^ers, pregnant with 

 fruit, and yielding saps, liquors, and juices, lachrymee, gums, and other 

 exsudations, though diversifying in shape and substance, taste, odour, 

 and other qualities and operations, according to the nature of the species. 

 To compare analogically, and describe minutely the various structure and 

 contexture of their several vessels and organs, whose office it is to supply 

 the whole plant with all that is necessary to its being and perfection, 

 after a stupendous, though natural process, (not altogether different 

 from creatures of animal life,) would require an anatomical lecture, which 

 is so learnedly and accurately done to our hand by Dr. Grew, Malpighius, 

 and other ingenious naturalists'. 



^ For the opinion of different authors concerning the foundation of the distinction of 

 vegetables into herbs, trees, shrubs, and under-shrubs, see the note upon page 4. 



' Mr. Evelyn very justly observes, that there is a great analogy between the animal and 

 vegetable creation ; and this is peculiarly discovered in the similar manner that plants and 

 animals propagate their respective species. It is allowed on all hands that animal con- 



