THE 
PREFACE. 
T he R E have been within lefs than a 
Century very great and ufeful difco* 
veries made in the amazingly beautiful Jiruc- 
ture and nature of the animal oeconomysneither 
have Riant s puffed unobferved in this inqui- 
Jitive age, which has with fuch diligence ex- 
tended its inquiries in fome degree, into almoji 
every branch of natures inexhauftible fund 
of wonderful works, 
JVe find in the R hilofophical TranfaSiions, 
and in the Hiflory of the Royal Academy of 
Sciences, accounts of many curious Expert- 
ments and Obfervations made from time to 
time on Vegetables, by fever al ingenious and 
inquifitive Rerfons : But our countryman 
Grew and Malpighi were the firji, whoy 
tho* in very diftant countries, did nearly at 
the fame time, unknown to each other, ingage 
in a very diligent and thorough inquiry into 
the flruElure of the vejfels of Riant s ; a pro- 
vince, which till then had layn uncultivated. 
They 
