_Of the Flower._
We next proceed to the _Flower_. The general Parts whereof are most
commonly three; _sc._ the _Empalement_, the _Foliation_, and the _Attire_.
The _Empalement_, whether of one or more pieces, I call that which is the
utmost part of the _Flower_, encompassing the other two. ’Tis compounded
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 those of a _Quince-Flower_, as oft as they happen to be
overgrown, is well seen. As likewise in the _Primrose_, with the green
Flower, commonly so call’d, though by a mistake; for that which seems to
be the _Flower_, is only the more flourishing _Empalement_, the _Flower_
it self being white; but the continuation of all the three aforesaid
Parts into each _Empaler_, is discoverable, I think, no where better than
in an _Artichoke_, which is a true _Flower_, and whose _Empalers_ are of
that amplitude, as fairly to shew them all: As also, that the Original of
the _Skin_ of each _Empaler_ is not distinct from that of the rest; but
to be all one piece, laid in so many Plaits or Duplicatures as there are
_Empalers_, from the outermost to the inner and most central ones.
The Design of the _Empalement_, is to be security and Bands to the other
two Parts of the _Flower_: To be their security before its opening, by
intercepting all extremities of Weather: Afterwards to be their Bands,
and firmly to contain all their Parts in their due and most decorous
posture; so that a _Flower_ without its _Empalement_, would hang as
uncouth and taudry as a _Lady_ without her _Bodies_.
Hence we have the reason why it is various, and sometimes wanting. Some
_Flowers_ have none, as _Tulips_; for having a fat and firm Leaf, and
each Leaf likewise standing on a broad and strong Basis, they are thus
sufficient to themselves. _Carnations_, on the contrary, have not only an
_Empalement_, but that (for more firmitude) of one piece: For otherwise,
the foot of each Leaf being very long and slender, most of them would
be apt to break out of compass; yet is the top of the _Impalement_
indented also; that the Indentments, by being lapp’d over the Leaves
before their expansion, may then protect them; and by being spred under
them afterwards, may better shoulder and prop them up. And if the feet
of the Leaves be both long and very tender too, here the _Empalement_
is numerous, though consisting of several pieces; yet those in divers
Rounds, and all with a counterchangeable respect to each other (which
also the Learned Dr. _Brown_ observes) as in all _Knapweeds_, and other
_Flowers_; whereby, how commodious they are for both the aforesaid ends,
may easily be conceiv’d; and well enough exemplified by the Scales
of Fishes, whereunto, as to their position, they have not an unapt
resemblance.
The _Foliation_ also, is of the same substantial nature with the green
Leaf; the _Membrane_, _Pulp_, and _Fibres_ whereof, being, as there, so
here, but the continuation of the _Skin_, the _Cortical_ and _Lignous
Bodies_.
The Foulds of the _Flower_ or _Foliation_ are various, as those of the
green Leaf; but some of them different. The most general are, First,
The _Plain Couch_, as in _Roses_, and many other double _Flowers_.
then the _Concave Couch_ as in _Blattaria flore albo_. Next the
_Plait_, as in some of the Leaves of _Pease-Blooms_, in the Flowers of
_Coriander_, &c. which is either single, as in those nam’d; or double,
as in _Blew-Bottle_, _Jacea_, and more of that rank. Next, the _Couch_
and _Plait_ together in the same Flower, as in _Marigolds_, _Daisies_,
and all others of an agreeing form: where the first apparent Fould or
Composture of the Leaves is in _Couch_; but the Leaves being erect, each
likewise may be seen to lie in a double _Plait_ within it self. Then the
_Rowl_, as in the _Flowers_ of _Ladies-Bower_, the broad top of each
Leaf being by a double _Rowl_ foulded up inwardly. Next, the _Spire_,
which it the beginning of a _Rowl_; and may be seen in the Flowers of
_Mallows_, and others. Lastly, the _Plait_ and _Spire_ together, where
the part analogous to the _Foliation_, is of one piece, the _Plaits_
being here laid, and so carried on by Spiral Lines to the top of the
_Flower_, as is in divers, and I think in _Convolvulus Doronici folio_
more elegantly seen. The reason of all which varieties, a comparative
consideration of the several parts of the _Flower_ may suggest. Ile only
mention, that no _Flower_ that I find, hath a _Back-Rowl_, as hath the
green Leaf, for two Reasons; because its Leaves have not their Fibres
standing out much on their backside, as the green Leaves have; and
because of its Attire, which it ever embosomes, and cannot so well do it
by a _Back-Rowl_.
The usual Protections of _Flowers_ by the Precedents are express’d,
_sc._ _Green Leaves_ and _Empalements_. Some have another more peculiar,
that is a _double Vail_; as the _Spring-Crocus_. For having no
_Empalement_, and starting up early out of the Mould, even before its
_Green Leaves_, and that upon the first opening of the Spring; lest it
should thus be quite starved, ’tis born swath’d up in a double Blanket,
or with a pair of Sheets upon its Back.
The Leaves of divers _Flowers_ at their Basis have an _hairy Tuft_; by
which _Tufts_ the Concave of the _Empalement_ is fill’d up; that, being
very choice and tender, they may thus be kept in a gentle and constant
warmth, as most convenient for them.
The Leaves of the _Flower_, though they are not hairy all over, yet in
some particular parts they are often set with a fine Downy Velvet; that,
being by their shape and posture in those parts contiguous to their
delicate and tender Attire, they may thus give it a more softly and
warmer touch. Thus in the Flower of _Ladies Bower_, those parts of its
Leaves which rowl inward, and lie contiguous to the Attire, are Downy;
whereas the other parts are plain and smooth: So the Flowers of _Pease_,
_Spanish Broom_, _Toad-Flax_, and many others, where contiguous to their
Attires, are deck’d with the like _Hairy Velvet_.
As upon the Green Leaves, so upon the Flowers are _Globulets_ sometimes
seen; as upon the backside of that of _Enula_. On none more plainly
than that kind of _Blattaria_ with the white Flower; where they are all
transparent, and growing both on the Stalk and Leaves of the _Flower_,
each shewing likewise its _Peduncle_ whereon it is erected.
The use of the _Flower_, or the _Foliation_ whereof we now speak, (that
is, as to its private service) is for the protection of the Attire;
this, as its under, and the _Empalement_ as its upper Garments; as
likewise of the _Fruit_: The necessity of which Service, in some Cases,
by the different situation of the _Flower_ and _Fruit_, with respect to
each other, is evident; _Apples_, _Pears_, and several other _Fruits_,
standing behind or under the _Flower_; but _Cherries_, _Apricots_, and
divers others, within it; for these, being of a very tender and pulpous
Body, and withal putting forth with the colder part of the Spring, could
not weather it out against the Variations and Extremities of the Air, (as
those of a more solid _Parenchyma_ can) except lodged up within their
_Flowers_.
And as the _Flower_ is serviceable to the safety of the _Fruit_, so
is it to its growth; _sc._ in its Infancy, or _Embryo_-estate; for
which purpose, as there is a Flower, so that Flower is greater or less,
according as the nature of the Fruit to which it belongs, and the plenty
of the _Sap_ by which the Fruit is fed, doth require. Thus, where the
young Fruit is of a solider constitution, and the ascent of the _Sap_
less copious, were there here no _Flower_ to promote the said ascent
thereof into the Fruit (in the manner as is effected by the Green Leaves)
it must needs pine and die, or prove less kindly. On the contrary, should
the Flower be over-large, it would not only promote the ascent of the
_Sap_ up to the Fruit, but being as yet over-proportionate to it, would
likewise it self exhaust the same _Sap_, as fast as ascendent; like a
greedy Nurse, that prepares the Meat for her Child, and then eats it up
her self. Thus we see _Apples_ and _Pears_ with a _Flower_ of a moderate
size, like their Body; of a middle Constitution, and their _Sap_ of a
middle quantity: But _Quinces_, being more solid, besides that they have
as great a _Flower_, the _Impalers_ of their _Flower_ also thrive so
far as to become handsom Leaves, continuing also after the _Flower_ is
fallen, firm and verdent a great while; so long till the _fruit_ be able
to provide for it self. On the other hand, _Plums_ being more tender
and Sappy than _Apples_ and _Pears_, besides that their _Empalers_ are
much alike, their _flower_ is less, and _Gooseberries_ and _Currans_,
which are still more Pulpy, and the course of the _Sap_ towards them
more free, have yet a _flower_ far less. And _Grapes_, whose _Sap_ is
still of quicker Ascent, have scarce any _flower_ at all; only some small
resemblance thereof, serving just upon the setting of the _fruit_, and no
longer.
The _Attire_ I find to be of two kinds, _Seminie_ and _Florie_: That
which I call _Seminie_, is made up of two general parts, _Chives_ and
_Semets_, one upon each _Chive_. These _Semets_ have the appearance
(especially in many _flowers_) of so many little _Seeds_; but are quite
another kind of Body: For upon enquiry we find, that these _Semets_,
though they seem to be solid, and for some time after their first
formation, are entire; yet are they really hollow; and their side, or
sides, which were at first entire, at length crack asunder: And that
moreover the Concave of each _Semet_ is not a meer vacuity, but fill’d
up with a number of minute Particles, in form of a Powder; which, though
common to all _Semets_, yet in some, and particularly those of a _Tulip_,
being larger, is more distinctly observable.
These _Semets_ are sometimes fastned so, as to stand erect above their
_Chive_, as those of _Larks-heel_. Sometimes, and I think usually, so
as to hang a little down, in the manner and figure of a _Kidney_; as in
_Mallows_. Their Cleft or Crack is sometimes single, but for the most
part double: At these Clefts it is that they disburse their Powders;
which as they start out, and stand betwixt the two Lips of each Cleft,
have some resemblance to the common Sculpture of a _Pomegranate_ with its
Seeds looking out at the Clefts of its _Rind_: This must be observ’d when
the Clefts are recently made, which usually is before the expansion of
the _Flower_.
The Particles of these Powders, though like those of Meal or other
Dust, they appear not easily to have any regular shape; yet upon strict
observation, especially with the assistance of an indifferent Glass,
it doth appear, that they are nothing else but a _Congeries_ of so many
perfect _Globes_ or _Globulets_: That which obscures them; is their being
so small. In _Dogs-Mercury_, _Borage_, and very many more Plants, they
are extreamly so. In _Mallows_, and some others, more fairly visible.
Some of these Powders are yellow, as in _Dogs-Mercury_, _Goats-Rue_,
&c. and some of other colours: But most of them I think are white; and
those of yellow _Henbane_ very elegant; the disburs’d Powders whereof, to
the naked eye, are white as Snow; but each _Globulet_, through a Glass,
transparent as Crystal; which is not a fallacy from the Glass, but what
we see in all transparent Bodies whatsoever, lying in a Powder or small
Particles together.
The _Florid Attire_, is commonly known by the blind and rude Name of
_Thrums_; as in the Flowers of _Marigold_, _Tansie_, &c. How adequate its
imposition is, observation will determine: For the several _Thrums_ or
rather _Suits_, whereof the _Attire_ is made up, however else they may
differ in various Flowers, in this agree, that they are ever consistent
of more than one, sometimes of two, and for the most part of three pieces
(for which I call them _Suits_) and each piece of a different, but
agreeable and comely form.
The _outer part_ of every _Suit_, is its _Floret_: whose _Body_ or _Tube_
is divided at the top (like that of the _Cowslip_) into divers distinct
Leaves; so that a _Floret_ is the Epitome of a _flower_; and is all the
_flower_ that many Plants, as _Mugwort_, _Tansie_, and others, have. What
the Learned Dr. _Brown_ observeth of the number Five as to the Leaves of
the _flower_, is still more universally holding in these of the _Floret_.
Upon the Expansion of the _Floret_, the next part of the _Suit_ is from
within its _Tube_ brought to sight; which we may (with respect to that
within it) call the _Sheath_: For this also, like the _Floret_, is a
concave Body; in its shape very well resembling the Fistulous Pouches of
_Wake-Robin_, or of _Dragon_.
The _Sheath_, after some time, dividing at the top, from within its
Concave, the third and innermost part of the _suit_, _sc._ the _Blade_
advanceth and displayes it self. This part is not hollow, as the other
two, but solid; yet at its point, not originally, but after some time, is
evermore divided into two halves.
Upon the division of the said Point, there appears, as upon the opening
of a _Semet_; a Powder of _Globulets_, which before lay enclosed up
within its Clefts; and are of the same nature with those of a _Semet_,
though not so copious: So that all _flowers_ have their _Powders_ or
_Globulets_. The whole _Attire_ may in _Knapweed_, _Blewbottle_, &c. be
observed.
The use of the _Attire_, how contemptibly soever we may look upon it,
is certainly great. And though for our own use we value the Leaves of
the _Flower_, or the _Foliation_, most; yet of all the three Parts, this
in some respects is the choycest, as for whose sake and service the
other two are made. The use hereof, as to Ornament and Distinction, is
unquestionable, but is not all. As for Distinction, though by the help of
Glasses we may make it to extend far; yet in a passant view, which is all
we usually make, we cannot so well. As for Ornament, and particularly
in reference to the _Semets_, we may ask, If for that meerly these were
meant, then why should they be so made as to break open, or to contain
any thing within them? Since their Beauty would be as good as if they
were not hollow, and is better before they crack and burst open, than
afterwards.
A farther use hereof therefore we must acknowledge, and may observe; and
that is for food; for Ornament and Distinction to us, and for Food to
other Animals. I will not say, but that it may serve even to these for
Distinction too, that they may be able to know one Plant from another,
and in their flight or progress settle where they like best; and that
therefore the varieties of these small parts are many, and well observed
by them, which we take no notice of: Yet the finding out of Food is but
in order to enjoy it: Which, that it is provided for a vast number of
little Animals in the _attires_ of all _Flowers_, observation perswades
us to believe. For why else are they evermore here found? Go from one
Flower to another, great and small, you shall meet with none untaken up
with these Guests. In some, and particularly the _Sun-flower_, where the
parts of the _Attire_, and the _animals_ for which they provide, are
larger, the matter is more visible. We must not think, that God Almighty
hath left any of the whole Family of his Creatures unprovided for; but as
the Great Master, some where or other carveth out to all; and that for
a great number of these little Folk, He hath stored up their peculiar
provisions in the _Attires_ of _Flowers_; each _Flower_ thus becoming
their Lodging and their Dining-Room, both in one.
Wherein the particular parts of the _Attire_ may be more distinctly
serviceable, this to one Animal, and that to another, I cannot say: Or to
the same Animal, as a _Bee_, whether this for the _Honey_, another for
their _Bread_, a third for the _Wax_: Or whether all only suck from hence
some _Juice_; or some may not also carry some of the Parts, as of the
_Globulets_, wholly away: Or lastly, what may be the primary and private
use of the _attire_ (for even this abovesaid; though great, yet is but
secondary) I now determine not.