
Book I. of Plants. 

CHAP. V. 
Of the FLOWER. 
pry, E next ptoceed to the Flower. The general Parts 
4, whereof are moft commonly three; fc. the Ex- 
palement, the Foliation, and the Attire. 
. 2. §. The Empalement, whether of one or more 
a pieces, I call that which is the utmoft Part of the 
Flower, encompafling the other two. “Tis com- 
Ha! ESUSUEE pounded of the three general Parts, the Skin, the 
Cortical and Lignous Bodies, each Empaler (where there are divers) 
being as another little Leaf’; as in thofe of a Quince-Flower, as oft 
as they happen to be overgrown, is well feen. As likewife in the 
Primrofe, with the green Flower; commonly fo call’d, though by a 
miftake: For that which feems to be the Flower, is only the more 
flourithing Empalement, the Flower it {elf being White. But the con- 
tinuation of all the three aforefaid Parts into each Empaler, is difco- 
verable, I think, no where better than in an Artichoke, which is a 
true Flower, and whofe Empalers are of that amplitude, as fairly to 
fhew them all: As alfo, that the Original of the shiz of each Empaler 
or Leaf is not diftiné& from that of the reft5 but to be all one piece, 
laid in fo many Plats or Duplicatures, as there are Leaves, from the 
outermoft to the inner and moft Central ones, 
3. §. The Defign of the Empalement, is to be Security and Bands 
tothe other two Parts of the Flower : Tobe their Security before its 
opening, by intercepting all extremities of Weather : Afterwards to be 
their Bazds, and firmly to contain all their Parts in their due and 
moft decorous poftnre: fo that a Flower without its Empalement, 
would hang as uncouth and taudry, as a Lady without her Bodies. 
4. §. Hence we have the reafon why it is various, and fometimes 
wanting. Some Flowers have none, as Tvkps; for having a fat and 
frim Leaf, and each Leaf likewife {tanding on a broad and ftrong Ba- 
fs, they are thus fufficient to themfelves. Carzations, on the con- 
trary, have not only. an Eypalement, but that (for more firmitude ) 
of one piece: For otherwife, the Foot of each Leaf being very long 
and f{lender, moft of them would be apt to break out of compaf : 
yet isthe top of the Ezpalement indented alfo; that the Indentments, 
by being lapp’d over the Leaves before their expanfion, may then 
protect them; and by being fpread under them afterwards, may bet- 
ter fhoulder and prop them up. And if the Feet of the Leaves be 
both long and very tender too, bere the Evspalement is numerous, 
though confifting of feveral pieces; yet thofe in divers Rounds, and 
all with a counterchangeable refpect to each other ( which alfo the 
Learned Sir Thomas Brown obferves ) as in all Kwapweeds, and other 
Flowers ; whereby, how commodious they are for both the aforefaid 
ends, may eafily be conceiv’d ; and well enough exemplified by the 
Scales of Fifhes, whereunto, as to their pofition, they have not an 
unapt refemblance. 

L 2 5. §. 
ee 
35 
Treat. of the 
Quincunx. 














































