_Of the Fruit._
The general composition of all _Fruits_ is one, that is, their
_Essential_ and truly _Vital Parts_, are in all the same, and but the
continuation of those which in the other Parts of a _Vegetable_, we
have already observed: Yet because by the different Constitutions and
Tinctures of these Parts, divers considerably different Fruits result; I
shall therefore take a particular view of the more known and principal of
them, _sc._ _Apples_, _Pears_, _Plums_, _Nuts_ and _Berries_.
An _Apple_, if cut traverse, appears constituted of four distinct Parts,
the _Pill_, the _Parenchyma_, _Branchery_ and _Coare_. The _Pill_ is
only the spreading and dilatation of the skin, or utmost part of the
Barque in the Branch. The _Parenchyma_, when full ripe, is a tender
delicate Meat: Yet as the _Pill_ is but the continuation of the utmost
part of the _Barque_; so is this but the continuance and ampliation,
or (as I may call it) the swelth and superbience of the _Inner part_
thereof; which upon observation of a young and Infant-_Apple_ especially,
is evident. Thus we see the _Pith_, which is often tough, in many
Roots, as _Parsneps_, _Turneps_, &c. is tender and edible. So here,
the _Parenchyma_, though originally no more than the _Barque_, yet the
plenty and purity of its _Sap_ being likewise effectual to the fulness
and fineness of its growth, it thus becomes a soft and tender meat.
The _Branchery_ is nothing else but the Ramifications of the _Lignous
Body_ throughout all the parts of the _Parenchyma_; the greater Branches
being likewise by the _Inosculations_ of the less (as in the Leaf)
united together. The main Branches are usually fifteen; ten are spred
and distributed through the _Parenchyma_, all enarching themselves
towards the _Cork_ or _Stool_ of the _Flower_; the other five running
from the _Stalk_ in a directer Line, at last meet the former at the said
_Cork_, and are there osculated with them. These five are originated
from one; which running along the Center of the _Stalk_, and part of the
_Parenchyma_ of the _Fruit_, is therein at last divided. To these the
Coats of the _Kernels_ are fastned; so that whereas these Branches were
originally all extended even beyond the _Fruit_, and inserted into the
_Flower_ for the due growth thereof; the _Fruit_ afterwards growing
to some head, and so intercepting and preying upon the Aliment of the
_Flower_, starves that, and therefrom supersedes the service of the said
Branches to it self, ten for its _Parenchyma_, and five for its _Seed_.
The _Coar_ is originated from the _Pith_; for the _Sap_ finding room
enough in the _Parenchyma_, through which to dispence it self all abroad,
quits the _Pith_, which thereby hardens into a _Coar_. Thus we see the
_Insertions_, although originate from the _Cortical Body_, yet their
Parts being, by the _Inosculations_ of the _Lignous_, so much compress’d
and made to co-incide together, they become a Body very compact and
dense. And in the _Barque_ we see the same effect by _arefaction_ only,
or a meer _voydance_ of the _Sap_; the _Inner Part_ whereof, though soft
and sappy, yet its superficial _Rind_ is often so hard and smooth, that
it may be fairly writ upon.
In a _Pear_ there are five distinct Parts, the _Pill_, the _Parenchyma_,
_Branchery_, _Calculary_ and _Acetary_. The three former are here and in
an _Apple_ much alike; saving that here the _Inner_ or _Seed-Branches_
are ordinarily ten. The _Calculary_ (most observable in rough-tasted,
or _Choak-Pears_) is a _congeries_ of little stony Knots: They are
many of them dispersed throughout the whole _Parenchyma_; but lying
more continuous and compact together towards the Center of the _Pear_,
surround the _Acetary_ there in a somewhat Globular Form. About the
_Stalk_ they stand more distant; but towards the _Cork_ or _Stool_ of
the _Flower_, they still grow closer, and there at last gather (almost)
into the firmitude of a _Plum-stone_ it self. Within this lies the
_Acetary_; ’tis of a soure tast, and by the bounding of the _Calculary_
of a _Globular Figure_. ’Tis a simple Body, having neither any of the
_Lignous_ branched in it, nor any Knots. It is of the same substantial
nature with the _Parenchyma_; but whether it be absolutely one with
it, or be derived immediately from the _Pith_, my Enquiries yet made,
determine not.
The Original of the _Calculary_ I seem to have neglected: But hereof we
may here best say, that whereas all the other Parts are Essential and
truly _Vital_, the _Calculary_ is not; but that the several Knots whereof
it consists, are only so many meer Concretions or Precipitations out of
the _Sap_; as in _Urines_, _Wines_, and other _Liquors_, we often see.
And that this _Precipitation_ is made by the mixture and re-action of
the Tinctures of the _Lignous_ and _Cortical Bodies_ upon each other:
Even as all _Vegetable Nutrition_ or _Fixation_ of Parts is also made
by the joynt efficiency of the two same Tinctures, as hath been said.
Hence we find, that as the _Acetary_ hath no Branches of the _Lignous
Body_, so neither hath it any Knots. Hence likewise it is, that we
have so different and contrary a taste in the _Parenchyma_ beyond the
_Calculary_, from that in the _Acetary_; for whereas this is soure, that,
wherein the said _Precipitations_ are made, is sweet; being much alike
effect, to what we find in mixing; of _Corals_, &c. with _Vinegar_ or
other _acid Liquor_.
In a _Plum_ (to which the _Cherry_, _Apricot_, _Peach_, _Walnut_, &c.
ought to be referr’d) there are four distinct Parts, the _Pill_, the
_Parenchyma_, _Branchery_ and _Stone_. The _Pill_ and _Parenchyma_ are,
as to their Original, with those of an _Apple_ or _Pear_ both alike:
As likewise the _Branchery_, but differently ramified. In _Plums_ (I
suppose all) there are five main _Out-Branches_, which run along the
Surface of the _Stone_ from the _Basis_ to the point thereof, four
of them by the one Ridge, and one by the other opposite to it. In an
_Apricot_ there is the same number, but the single Branch runs not upon
the Surface, but through the Body of the _Stone_. There are likewise
two or three smaller Branches, which run in like manner under the
other Ridge for some space, and then advancing into the _Parenchyma_,
therein disperse themselves: These latter sort in _Peaches_ are numerous
throughout: But notwithstanding the different disposition of the Branches
of the _Fruits_ aforesaid; yet is there one Branch dispos’d in one and
the same manner in them all: The entrance hereof into the _Stone_ is at
its _Basis_; from whence running through its Body, and still inclining
or arching it self towards its Concave, is at last about its Cone
thereinto emergent, where the Coats of the _Seed_ are appendent to it.
Of the _Seed-Branch_ ’tis therefore observable that after its entrance
into the _Fruit_, ’tis alwaies prolonged therein to a considerable
length; as is seen not only in _Apples_, &c. where the _Seed_ stands a
good distance from the _Stalk_; but in _Plums_ likewise, where it stands
very near it; in that here the _Seed-Branch_, as is said, never strikes
through the _Stone_ into the Coats of the _Seed_ directly, but about
its Cone or remoter end. The _Stone_, though it seem a simple Body, yet
it is compounded of different ones: The Inner Part thereof, as it is by
far the thinnest, so is it the most dense, white, smooth and simple.
The Original is from the _Pith_; difficult, but curious to observe: For
the _Seed-Branch_, not striking directly and immediately quite through
the _Basis_ of the _Stone_, but in the manner as is above described,
carries a considerable part of the _Pith_, now gathered round about it,
as its _Parenchyma_, along with it self, which, upon its entrance into
the concave of the _Stone_ about its farther end, is there in part spred
all over it, as the Lining thereof. The outer and very much thicker Part
consisteth partly of the like _Precipitations_ or concrete Particles,
as in a _Pear_, being gathered here much more closely, not only to a
Contiguity, but a coalition into one entire Stone; as we see in _Pears_
themselves, especially towards the _Cork_, they gather into the like
Stoniness; or as we see a _Stone_, _Mineral_ or _Animal_, oftentimes the
product of accumulated _Gravel_: But as the _Parenchyma_ is mixed with
the Concretion in the _Calculary_, so is it also, though not visibly,
with these in the _Stone_, the ground of the _Stone_ being indeed a
perfect _Parenchyma_; but by the said Concretions so far alter’d, as to
become dry, hard and undistinguishable from them.
In a _Nut_ (to which an _Achorn_ is analogous) there are three general
Parts, the _Cap_, _Shell_ and _Pith_. The _Cap_ is constituted of a
_Pill_ and _Parenchyma_ derived from the _Barque_, and _Ramulets_ from
the _Lignous Body_ of the _Branch_. The _Shell_ likewise is not one
simple Body, but compounded. The Superficial Part thereof is originated
from the _Pill_ or _Skin_ of the _Cap_, from the inside whereof it is
in a Duplicature produc’d and spred over the _shell_: which, if you
look at the _Basis_ of the _shell_, is farther evident; for that being
continuous with the _Parenchyma_ of the _Cap_, without the interposure
of the _Skin_, the said superficial Part is there wanting. The thicker
and inner part of the _shell_ consisteth of the same _Parenchyma_ as
that of the _Cap_, with a _congeries_ of _Precipitations_ filled up, as
in a Stone. And as the _Lignous Body_ is branched in a Stone, so, with
some difference, in a Shell. The _Outer Branches_ or _Ramulets_ are
numerous, each issuing out of the _Parenchyma_ of the _cap_, and entring
the _Shell_ at the Circumference of its _Basis_ and so running betwixt
its superficial and inner parts towards its _cone_, in a Round. The
_Inner_ or _Seed-Branch_ is single, entering in, as do the other, at the
_Basis_ of the _shell_, but at the _center_ thereof; from whence it runs,
not through the _Shell_, as in _Plums_ through the _Stone_; but through
the _Pith_, as far as the _cone_, where the Coats of the _Seed_ hang
appendent to it. The _Pith_, whether derived from the same part both in
name and nature in the _Branch_ and _Stalk_, or from the _Cortical Body_,
I yet determine not.
A _Berry_, as a _Gooseberry_ (to which _Currans_, _Grapes_, _Hipps_, &c.
are to be referr’d) consisteth, besides the _Seed_, of the three general
Parts, _Pill_, _Parenchyma_ and _Branchery_: The _Pill_ is originated
as in the foregoing Fruits. The _Parenchyma_ is double, as likewise
in some other _Berries_: The _outer_ is commonly, together with the
_Pill_, call’d the _Skin_, and is that part we spit out, being of a soure
taste. As the _Pill_ is originated from the _outer_, so this from the
_inner part_ of the _Barque_; and accordingly the Pores thereof may be
observed plainly of a like shape with those both of the _Cortical Body_
and _Pith_. The _inner_ is of a sweet taste, and is the part we eat: It
is of a constitution so laxe and tender, as it would seem to be only a
thicker or jellied Juice; although this likewise be a true _Parenchyma_,
something like that of an _Orange_ or _Limon_, with its Pores all fill’d
up with Liquor. The _Branchery_ is likewise double: The _Exterior_ runs
betwixt the _Pill_ and outer _Parenchyma_ in arched Lines, from the
_Stalk_ to the _Stool_ of the _Flower_. These outer Branches, though
of various number at the _Stalk_, yet at the _Cork_ are usually ten
principal ones; five for the five Leaves of the _Flower_, and five for
the _Chives_. The inner main Branches are two, diametrically opposite
to each other, and at the _Cork_ with the other inosculated. From these
two are branched other smaller, every one having a _Seed_ appendent to
it, whose Coats it entreth by a double Filament, one at the _Basis_,
the other at the _Cone_. They are all very white and turgent; and by
a slaunt cut, may be observ’d concave; thus representing themselves
analogous to so many true _spermatick Vessels_.
The Uses of _Fruits_ are for _Man_, (sometimes also other _Animals_,
as are _Akerns_ and _Haws_) and for the _Seed_. For Man, they are
so variously desirable, that till our Orchards and Store-Chambers,
_Confectioners_ Stores and _Apothecaries_ Shops, our Ladies Closets,
their Tables or Hands are empty of them, I shall not need to enquire
for what. If it be asked, how the Fruit becomes, generally above all
the other Parts, so pleasant a Meat? It is partly from the _Sap_, the
grosser portion thereof being deposited in the Leaves, and so the purer
hereunto reserved; partly from the Globular Figure of the Fruit; for the
_Sap_ being thus in a greater quantity herein, and in all parts equally
diffus’d, the Concoction hereof is with greatest advantage favoured and
promoted. Wherefore all Fruits which we eat raw, how small soever, are of
a Globular form, or thereunto approaching; and the nearer, the delicater;
amongst _apples_, the _Peppin_; amongst _Pears_, the _Burgundian_; and
amongst all Fruits, the _Grape_; and amongst _Grapes_, the roundest, are
of all the most dainty.
The visible cause of this Globular Figure, is the _Flower_; or the
Inosculation of all the main Branches at the _Stool_ of the _Flower_; and
upon the fall of the _Flower_, the obtuseness, and with Wind and Sun, as
it were the searing of their several ends: For thus the _Sap_ entring
the _Fruit_, being not able to effect, either a Disunion, or a shooting
forth of the said Branches, and so to carry on their growth in length;
they must thus of necessity be enarch’d, and with the _Parenchyma_ more
and more expand themselves. Whereas were they dispos’d and qualified
otherwise, than as is said, instead of forming a Fruit within bounds,
they would run out into all extravagance, and even into another little
Tree or Leafy growth.
To the _Seed_, the _Fruit_ is serviceable; First, in order to its
being supply’d with a due and most convenient _Sap_, the greater and
less elaborated part thereof being, in its passage towards the _Seed_,
thereinto received; the _Fruit_ doing the same office to the _Seed_,
which the _Leaves_ do to the _Fruit_; the _Sap_ in the _Fruit_ being in a
laxe comparison, as the _Wine_; and that for the _Seed_, a small part of
the highest Spirit rectified from it.
So likewise for its Protection, in order to the prosperous carrying on
and perfecting of its generation, and security being perfected. Which
protection it gives not only to the Seminal _Sap_ and _Seed_ it self;
but alwaies also to its _Seed-Branch_. Thus we see an _Apple_, besides
that it is it self of ample compass, for the sake of its _Seed_, hath
likewise its _coar_; as if it were not sufficient, that the Walls of
their Room are so very thick, unless also wainscotted. In a _Pear_ again,
where the _Parenchyma_ is of less compass than that of an _Apple_, to
what protection this affords, that of the _Calculary_ is super-added.
But in a _Plum_, where the _Parenchyma_ is exceeding tender, and in a
_Peach_, which hangs late, and till Autumn Frosts approach, we have not
only the Rubbish of a _Calculary_ but stout Stone-Walls. Within which
also, not only the _Seed_ it self; but the _Seed-Branch_ is evermore
immur’d. Lastly, in a _Nut_, where the _shell_ being not surrounded with
a _Parenchyma_, that protection is wanting without, ’tis answer’d by an
ample _Pith_ within it; and the _seed-Branch_ likewise included, not
meerly in the Body of the Shell, as in a _Plum_, but within the _pith_
it self. So necessary is this design that what the Hen by Incubation
or Hovering, is to the Egg or Chick; that the whole _Fruit_, by
comprehension, is to the _Seed_.