









eAn Idea of a 
2. §. By due Reflection upon what hath been Performed ; it alfo 
appears, what is left Jusperfect, and what Undone. For the Virtues of 
molt Plants, are with much uncertainty, and too promifénoufly afcribed 
tothem. So that if you turn over an Herbal, you (hall find almoft 
every Herb, to be good for every Diféafe. And of the Virtues of 
many, they are altogether filent. And although, for the finding out, 
and juft appropriation of them, they have left us fome Reales, yet not 
all, The Defcriptions likewife of many, are yet to be perfected; ef 
pecially as totheir Roots. Thofe who are very curious about the 
other Parts, being yet here too remifs. And as for their Figures, it 
were muchtobe wifhed, That they were all drawn by one Scale; or, 
at moft, by Two; one, for Trees and Shrubs 3 andanother for Herbs, 
Many likewife of their Ranks and Affinities, are yet undetermined. 
And a great namber of Names, both Exglifh and Latine,not well given. 
So what we call Goat's-Rue, isnot at all of kin to that Plant, whofe 
Generical Name it bears. The like may be faid of Wild-Tanfj, Stock- 
Fuly-Flowers, Horfé-Radifh, and many more. So alfo when we fay 
Bellis Major, & Minor, as we commonly do, thefe Names would inti- 
mate, That the Plats to which they are given, differ (as the great 
double Marigold, doth trom the lefs) only in Bulk : whereas, intruth, 
they are two Species of Plants. So wecommonly fay, Centaurinm Ma- 
jus G Minus, Chelidonium Majus & Minus, and of others inlike man- 
ner,which yet are diftindt Species,and of very different Tribes. But for 
the Reafox of Vegetation, and the Caufes of all thofe infinite Varieties 
therein obfervable (Imean fo faras Matter, and the various Affecti- 
ons hereof, are inftrumental thereunto) almoftall Men have feemed to 
be unconcerned. 
3- §. That Nothing hereof remaineth further to be known, is a 
Thought not well Calculated. For if weconfider how long and gra- 
dual a Fourney the Kuowledge of Natureis; and how fhort a Time 
we have to proceed therein; as on the one hand, we fhall conclude it 
our café and profit, To fee how far Others have gone before us: fo 
fhall we beware onthe other, That we conceive not unduly of Na- 
ture, whilft we have a juft value for Thofe, who were but her Di/c- 
ples, and inftrua@ed by Her. Their Time and Abilities both, being 
fhort toher ; which, as She was firlt Defigned by Divine Wifdom ; 
fomay Her vaft Dimenfions beft be adjudged of, in being compared 
Therewith. It will therefore be our Prudence, not to infift upon 
the Invidious Queftion, Which of Her Scholars have taken the faireft 
meafure of Her; but to be well fatisfied, that as yet She hath not 
been Cireumfcribed by Any. ‘ 
4. §. Nor doth it more behove us to confider, how much of the 
Nature of Vegetation may lie before us yet uvkvown 5 Than, to be- 
lieve, a great part thereof to be kvowable. Not concluding from the 
acknowledged, much lefs fuppofed Infuccefsfulnes, of any Mens Un- 
dertakings: but from what may be accounted Poflible,as to the Nature 
of things themfelves; and from Divine Providence, by Infinite Ways 
conducting to the knowledge of them. Neither can we determine 
how great a part This may be: Becaufe, It # impoffible to Meafure, what 
we See not. And fince we are moft likely to under-meafure, we fhall 
hereby but intrench our Endeavours, which we are not wont to carry 
beyond the Idee, which we have of our Work, 

5.§. And 

