
Book IV. eS a 301 


in larger parcels of Exphorbina 5 for which Caw/é, I fafpect it to be the 
Gumm of a Plant of the Tithymal kind. 
2. g. Ifthe Cover of the Seed be {tony arid very hard, it is alfo 
diftinguifhed into feveral Pieces; whereby they eafily cleave afunder 
without much refiftance to the eruption of the Root. So the Shell ofa 
Hazel-nnt eafily cleavs on the edg 5 arid the cleft begins beft at the 
poynt, where the Root {tands and fhoots forth. The Shel of fome M4 
Walnuts cleavs into three Parts 5 and the Stoxe of the Belerick Myro- Tab, 755 
balan into five: that fo, being very thick and hard, ifone piece fhould 
riot yield, another may not failto do it. And the Covers or Husks of 
fome forts of Grain, as of millet, are only folded or laped one over 
another, the better to give way to their tender Sprouts. j 
3. §. Befidesthe Kernels of Plums and {ome other Fruits, theté 
are very many Seeds, even of the {mallet fort, which bave alfo ftony 
Covers, as of Carthamum, Myagium monofpernton, Beet , ' Borage ; 
Lithofperme, Amaranthus, Violet, &c. Sometinies, for the reception of 
the harfher and le(s matured Principles from the Seed,in its Generation; 
asin Borage. Commonly, to keep it warmer before and after its fow’n: 
For which purpofe, the outer Covers of fome Seeds, are as it were 
Lined with Fur: in that of Great Maple, Short; of Goffipium, Long. 
And if the Seed requires a longet ftay under ground, the hardnefs of 
the Cover ferves to ftint the Aliment; left too much, fhould either rot 
it, or caufe it to germinate, before its proper {eafon, or full time for a 
more Majfcwline Growth. 
4. §- On thecontrary, many Seeds, as thofe of Clary, Gardena 
Crefs, and others of that T7ibe, have their upper Covers faced with a 
Mucilage: which being eafily receptive of any Moyfture in the Ground; 
gradually fwells, till it lies like a Gelly round about the Seed. Et- 
ther fora more plentiful fupply of Aliment ; or at leaft, to foften the 
Covers, the better to accelerate the Growth of the Seed. 
5. §. The procefs of Nature in the feveral fteps of the Vegetation 
of the Seed, hath formerly been explained. (2) te 
6. § THE COVERS ofall, or at leaft the far gteater num- (2) B. i. 
ber of Seeds, are Three; fome way or other derived from the Pith - CP. ¥ 
as fhall hereafter be feen. And fometimes, Four: even thofe of ftond 
Fruits, have Three, befides the Stove. Inthat of Goffipinm, there are 
Two Coats under that lined with the Cotton, The Seeds of Cucumer, 
Goats-beard, Broom, Scabious, Lettice, &c. although fo fmall, have Typ, 75. 
plainly Three Coats. Butin fome of thefe, and many more, there are 
only Two diftin@ly vifible, except in the State of Generation. 
7. §. Inthe Upper Coat, the Seed-Veffels are diffeminated: - The 
Second, is firft a meer Pulp; but afterwards fhrinks up and fticks clofe 
tothe upper. The Third or Inmoft is more denfe; and if it be thin, 
for the moft part, tranfparents whereby the Seed feems fometimes to 2 
be naked while it lies therein as in Almonds, Cucumers, and the like. Tab. 76: 
For this fticks not to the midle Coat, asthat doth to the outer 5 but 
commonly, remains entire, after thofe are {tripp’d off, being as it were, 
the Swock of the Seed. ; 
8. §. In Melia and fome other finall Seeds, it comes finely off ups 
on foaking in warm Water or on the Tongue. In Fenugreek , ‘tis fott, 
and of an Amber-Colour 5 and being moyftened, looks almoft like fine 
Glew. But commonly, tisa prety tough Membrane, and often his 
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