42 
VEGETABLE STRUCTURE. 
and virtues; the Matter being fufceptible of any form, and from that form 
deriving all thofe qualities. 
We know what things they are which feed and form a Plant ; and we 
know thefe are the fame in all the kinds. One parcel of mould will pro- 
duce every fpecies ; one quantity of water moiflen that earth for all ; and 
titey all grow furrounded by one atmolphere. We may cat this mould 
without hurt, we drink this water, and we breathe this air. Yet from a. 
feed of Deadly NightQiade fovvn in this, rifes a leaf, a dram of which is 
poifon. The burning juice of Spurge, or the bitter of Gentian, are nei- 
ther in the earth, the air, or water : thefe are compofed of matter fuited 
equally to the formation of all bodies ; and ready to form any into which 
they are thrown ; tnis matter is inert in itfelf, and poffeOes no quality but 
its own firmnefs. The veficls of the Plants arrange it differently ; not 
only in different fpecies, but in tiie diflindt veffels of the fame Herb; and 
this arrangement gives to the common matter fcent and fade, colour and 
virtue. Do we need more proof that it is the form into which matter is 
thrown, which gives bodies all their qualities ? Let us obferve the effedts 
of thofe fimplc operations, which, under our own eye, put various fub- 
jedfs into different forms. In many minerals the fubftance itfelf is inno- 
cent ; but lay it on the fire, and its vapour is poifonous. And in Vege- 
table Bodies, our immediate fubjedt, the fame fubflance often poffeffes, in 
fucceffion by thefe changes, three diftindt qualities ; one while in the date 
of nature, a fecond while fermenting, and, after it has been fermented, 
another different altogether from both. We cannot doubt, but the mat- 
ter v.^hich rifes in vapour from the mineral, is the matter or fubdance of 
that mineral ; and as we find it innocent in the one date, and fatal in the 
other, it cannot be but the different arrangement of the parts of the fame 
matter, makes this great diderence. The vapour of fermenting wine, 
rifes from the innocent Grape ; and neither that, nor air, nor water, have 
limply any fatal qualities. We find fo many things can make this change 
in matter, that we need not wonder a condrudlion fo complex and deli- 
cate, as we fhall prefently fee the vafcular fydems of Vegetables to be, can 
effe^ it. Plainly, the original particles of all matter are the fame. The 
vegetable fubdance is compofed of the fame body with that of animals 
and minerals ; and while the earth feeds Grafs, the Grafs an Ox, and the 
Ox a Lion, the proper and unaltered fubdance of matter paffes alike thro’ 
all ; and is the fame in all ; tho’ differently arranged in the fcveral fpecies. 
Spontaneous fermentation diveds it, after all thefe changes, of the feveral 
forms and qualities it received from thofe various bodies, and retained while 
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