[ S3 ] 
obferved with more Difficulty, than in thofe wc 
ufually call the more perfcCt Plants. In fome of this 
Cla fs, the Fructification, notwithstanding the great 
Afliftance furnifh’d to the modern Botanifts by Mi- 
crofcopes, which the ancient were wholly deffitute of, 
remains yet undifeover’d. This Plant then being of 
thisClafs, almoft all thofe whofe Stems are thick and 
flefhy, as well as their Umbels, have a Ring upon 
their Stem ; from which, when the Plant is young, 
and until it arrives at a flowering State, there arifes a 
Membrane, which connects the Rim of the Umbel 
to the Stem, and preferves the under Part of the Plant 
in this State: But, when this is over, the Umbel, 
which before was almoft of an hemifpherical Figure, 
growing larger, and the Membrane not giving way, 
is loofened from the Rim of the Umbel, and ad- 
heres only to the Stem. Soon after this State, the 
Seeds ripen, and the Umbel, loftng its former Figure, 
commences almoft a Plane ; and the Plant in this 
State is fold in our Markets, by the Name of Flaps. 
Now, when the Umbel is of this Figure, the Seeds, 
being perfectly ripe, muft fall naturally upon the whole 
Space the Umbel covers (which Michelt obferved, 
by placing Leaves of Trees under them); and, upon 
the Ring, as well as any other Part; though I have 
Reafon to believe not more. As for thofe Species 
of Fungi whofe Stems are thin, and whofe Umbels' 
are fofr, and more duCtile, they need not, nor have 
they, this Ring or Membrane,- becaufe, in their ten- 
der State, the Rims of their Umbels clap themfelvcs 
quite clofe to the Stalk, in the Form of a contracted 
Umbrella ; aiid expand as the others do, when their 
Seed# 
