2 iQ Of Vegetables, 
almoft every flower; Its colour various in different flow¬ 
ers, but its ftruCture conftantly the fame in plants of 
the fame fpecies. Here alfo the microfcope hath difco- 
vered furprizing beauties, and hath ihewn us, that this 
powder is produced with the utmoft care in veffels won¬ 
derfully contrived to open and difcharge it, when it be¬ 
comes mature, and that there is a piftil, feed-veffel, or 
uterus, in the center of the flower, ready to receive the 
minute grains of this powder, either as they fall of 
themfelves, or are blown out of their little cells. We 
are alfo taught by experience, that the fertility of the 
feed entirely depends on this; for if the farina veffels 
are cut off before they open and fhed their powder, the 
feed is unprolific 
Of feeds. 
T HE feed is the laft produCt of a plant whereby the 
fpecies are propagated ; it is frequently the fruit of 
the plant, as is the cafe in moft herbs: fometimes it is 
only a part inclofed in the fruit, and that in form either of 
grain, kernel, or berry. 
It is the natural offspring of the flower, and that for 
whofe production all the parts of the flower are intended ; 
fo that when this is once well formed, the feveral parts 
of the flower dwindle and difappear. 
It is produced from the farina of the apices let fall on 
the head of the piftil, and thence forwarded to an uterus 
at the bottom thereof, divided into feveral cells; where 
coming to receive the nutritious juice of the plant, it is 
ftrft foftned, then fwelled, increafed both in matter and 
bfislk, and at length comes to its ftate of maturity. 
By 
l Phil. Tranf. No. 207. 
