








The Second 
General 
Mean 

eAn Idea of a 
laid together, we may probably conjecture the Can/és thereof ; and 
the Natures ofthe Plants in which they are feen: fel. as fuch a De- 
gree of Heat may be neceffary for the Fermentation, or the better Di- 
{tribution of the Sap of fuch a Plazt; or for the Impregnation of 
the Aer, to be mixed therewith ; orthedue Difpofing of the so7/, to 
render the moft convenient Aliment thereunto. So the Przzcaples of 
fuch Plzxts, which flower all the Year, may be more equally propor- 
tion’d. Thofe which flower before the Leaves put forth, as the Cro- 
cus Vernus, andthofe which flower in Sprixg, may be accounted Rawk, 
and full of Volatile salt. But Autumn Plants efpecially, to abound with 
a Fixed: andthe like. 
15. g. The proper Places alfo of Plazts, or fuch wherein they 
have, from their Seeds, or other way of Propagation, a Spontaneous 
growth, fhould be confidered. “And that asto the Climate; whether 
in one Colder, Temperate, or more Hot. .The Regio 5 Continent, 
or Ifland. The Seat; as Sea, or Land, Watry, Boggy, or Dry ; Hills, 
Plains, or Vallies; Open, in Woods, or under Hedges; Againft Walls, 
rooted in them, or on their Tops: and the like. And perhaps the 
Seeds of fome Plants, asof Moffes, (which, through their fmallnef?, 
will afcend like Moths inthe San) may fly or fwim for fome time, in 
the Aer, viz. till they begin to fhoot, and fo become heavy enough, 
to fall down upon the Ground. From whence, in like manner, as 
from their Seafous, their particular Natures may be directed unto. 
In chat, fo faras we may conjeCture the nature of fuchan Aer, So7/, or 
Seat, we may alfo of fucha Plaxt, to'which they are congenial, 
16. §. Solikewife, thofe many Varieties obfervable inthe Mozi- 
ons of Plazts, and of their Parts, both Kindsand Degrees; A/cending, 
Defcending, and Horizontal; Reéfilinear, and Spiral Motions, thould be 
noted ; to what Plawtsthey agree, and wherein any of thefe Motions 
may be analogous tothofe of Avimals, And in a word, any other 
Fovenfick Properties of Plants, And then, to Compare them all toge- 
ther 5 both being neceffary. For Thoughts cannot work upon no- 
thing, no more than Hands. He that willbuild an Houfe, mutt pro- 
vide Materials. And on the contrary, the Materials will never be- 
come an Houfe, unlefs, by certain Rules, we. joyn them all together, 
So, it isnot, fimply, the Knowledge of many things, but a multifari- 
ous Copulation of them in the Mind, that becomes prolifick of further 
Knowledge. And thus much for the firft General Aeaz. 
17. § THE NEXT which propofe, and that a moft necef- 
fary one, is Avatomy. For when upon the DifleGion of Vegetables,we 
fee fo great a difference in them, that not only their Outward F2- 
gures, but alfo their Inward Sérudfure, is fo Elegant; and in all, fo 
Various; it muft needs lead us thus to Think, That thefe Inward 
Varieties, were either to no Ed; or if they were, we muft aflign to 
what. To imagine the firft, were exceeding vain; as if Nature, the 
Handmaid of Divine Wifdow, fhould with Her fine Needle and Thred, 
ftitch up fo many feveral Pieces, of fo difficult, and yet fo groundlefs 
a Work. But iffor fome Exd, then either only to be looked upon, 
or fome other befides. If for this only, then this muft be fuch as in 
refpe&t whereof, Her Work is at no time, nor in any degree fruftrate 5 
the contrary whereunto, is moft manifeft. For although Men do 
every where,with frequent pleafure,behold the Outward Elegancies of 
Plants 3 


