Note g — BOOK X.

In the Flower may be considered the Empalement, as Dr. Grew; the Calix, or Perianthium, as Mr. Ray and others, call it, designed to be a Security, and Bands, to the other Parts of the Flower. Floris velut basis & fulcimentum est. Ray Hist. L. 1. c. 10. Flowers, whose Petala are strong (as Tulips) have no Calix. Carnations, whose Petala are long and slender, have an Empalement of one Piece: And others, such as the Knap-weeds, have it consisting of several Pieces, and in divers Rounds, and all with a counterchangeable Respect to each other, for the greater Strength and Security of themselves, and the Petala, &c. they include.

The next is the Foliation, as Dr. Grew, the Petala, or Folia, as Mr. Ray, and others. In these, not only the admirable Beauty, and luxuriant Colours are observable, but also their curious Foldings in the Calix, before their Expansion. Of which Dr. Grew hath these Varieties, viz. The Close-Couch, as in Roses; the Concave-Couch, as in Blattaria flore albo; the Single-Plait, as in Pease-Blossoms; the Double-Plait, as in Blue-Bottles, &c. the Couch and Plait together, as in Marigolds, &c. the Rowl, as in Ladies Bower; the Spire, as in Mallows; and lastly, the Plait and Spire together, as in Convolvulus Doronici folio. L. 1. c. 5. §. 6. and Tab. 54.

As to the Stamina with their Apices, and the Stylus, (called the Attire by Dr. Grew) they are admirable, whether we consider their Colours, or their Make, especially their Use, if it be as Dr. Grew, Mr. Ray, and others imagine, namely, as a Male Sperm, to impregnate and fructify the Seed. Which Opinion is corroborated by the ingenious Observations of Mr. Sam. Morland, in Philos. Trans. Nᵒ. 287.

Reliqua usus alimentique gratiâ genuit [Natura] ideoque secula annosque tribuit iis. Flores verò odoresque in diem gignit: magnâ (ut palam est) admonitione hominum, quæ spectatissimè floreant, celerrimè marcescere. Plin. N. H. L. 21. c. 1.