T n E S E V E X V E G E T A B L E F A xM I L I E S. i9'5 
are innumerable in the minuted: piece of the Rind ; their Coats are rough, 
their Cavities verv final! ; and their Surface, at intervals, is fringed juft in 
the manner of the middle part of the Fibres of Black fleliebore Root. 
Fig. 27. This Fringe plainly confifts of Fibrils ; and thefe piercing the 
Joints of the Velfels rf the outer Rind, at their innuineralde mouths, 
make the Itricfc union there is of thofe two fubftances. Fig. 28. 
These parts arc all very fmall in the Tkuffle, as are a’fo its Seeds j 
but when fought with care, they are found diftincdly. The inner Rind, 
even in very thin pieces, appears fpungy, dark, and coarfe ; but in many 
trials made on the well macerated parts, fotne Velfels will appear dilfindl} , 
This Rind of the Truffle does not preferve fo exad a thicknefs in all 
parts, or terminate fo equally round about the Flelh, as in the more regu- 
lar Plants. It runs into that fubfliance in many places, and is alway ter- 
m’nated by a waved and very irregular out-line. And I have obferved dif- 
tindly, that thofe Veffels which run neareft the Flelh, have the fame Fi- 
bri’s at certain didances, as the others. 
The Flefh of the Truffle, tho’ it takes the place of the Blea in Plants 
and Trees, has not its proper nature. In that part there are in other Plants, 
clear Cells, and coloured Sap-VelTels ; but in the Truffle it confifts of 
Velfels only; thefe are, indeed, lodged in a white fpungy fubfiance, fuch 
as is found in the interfiices of Velfels in other parts; but this is not form- 
ed into regular Cells, nor is it of any determinate Figure; it ferves only to 
lodge the Velfels and to prevent their prelfing upon one another. Thefe 
Veflels are perfedlly tranfparent, and they are jointed as the others, but at 
greater di fiances. 
From the Joints of thefe run various curled and twified, milk-white 
Fibrils in all parts where they touch the Membrane, and in no other part. 
There are alfo innumerable orifices on the furfaces of thefe Velfels through- 
out, by which they communicate with the extreme parts. 
Within this Flelh of the Truffle is contained that great and moft 
furprizing part, the Membranous Vclfel, in w'hich are lodged the Seeds. 
This is confiderably thick, and perfedtly pellucid. In mofi views it ap- 
pears no other than a piece of an extreme thin Bladder ; but with great 
Magnifiers we fee Velfels in it; and they are numerous. They run upon 
its inner furface, and* are fixed down to it ; and the Membrane which lines 
it is their other Covering. Thefe are theefiential Velfels of the Plant ; and 
I doubt not but pieces of this Membrane, cut oft in any part, would grow. 
This Membrane mav be mofi difiindly feen in a piece from which, 
aCer due maceration, the Seeds have been wiped away in water, with a 
C c 2 Camel’s- 
