The Works of Sir Thomas Browne Volume III Part 14

[142] ?? p?as??.

[143] Secto via limite quadret. _Comment._ in Virgil.

And as the first station and position of trees, so was the first habitation of men, not in round Cities, as of later foundation; For the form of _Babylon_ the first City was square, and so shall also be the last, according to the description of the holy City in the Apocalyps.

The famous pillars of _Seth_ before the floud had also the like foundation, if they were but _antidiluvian_ Obelisks, and such as _Cham_ and his _aegyptian_ race, imitated after the Floud.

But _Nineveh_ which Authours acknowledge to have exceeded _Babylon_, was of a longilaterall[144] figure, ninety five Furlongs broad, and an hundred and fifty long, and so making about sixty miles in circuit, which is the measure of three dayes journey, according unto military marches, or castrensiall mansions. So that if _Jonas_ entred at the narrower side, he found enough for one dayes walk to attain the heart of the City, to make his Proclamation, And if we imagine a City extending from _Ware_ to _London_, the expression will be moderate of six score thousand Infants, although we allow vacuities, fields, and intervals of habitation, as there needs must be when the monument of _Ninus_ took up no lesse then ten furlongs.

[144] Diod. Sic.

And, though none of the seven wonders, yet a n.o.ble peece of Antiquity, and made by a Copy exceeding all the rest, had its princ.i.p.al parts disposed after this manner, that is, the Labyrinth of _Crete_, built upon a long quadrate, containing five large squares, communicating by right inflections, terminating in the centre of the middle square, and lodging of the _Minotaur_, if we conform unto the description of the elegant medal thereof in _Agostino_.[145] And though in many accounts we reckon grosly by the square, yet is that very often to be accepted as a long-sided quadrate which was the figure of the Ark of the Covenant, the table of the Shew-bread, and the stone wherein the names of the twelve Tribes were engraved, that is, three in a row, naturally making a longilateral Figure, the perfect quadrate being made by nine.

[145] Antonio Agostino delle medaglie.

What figure the stones themselves maintained, tradition and Scripture are silent, yet Lapidaries in precious stones affect a Table or long square, and in such proportion, that the two laterall, and also the three inferiour Tables are equall unto the superiour, and the angles of the laterall Tables, contain and const.i.tute the _hypothenusae_, or broder sides subtending.

That the Tables of the Law were of this figure, general imitation and tradition hath confirmed; yet are we unwilling to load the shoulders of _Moses_ with such ma.s.sie stones, as some pictures lay upon them, since 'tis plainly delivered that he came down with them in his hand; since the word strictly taken implies no such ma.s.sie hewing, but cutting, and fas.h.i.+oning of them into shape and surface; since some will have them Emeralds, and if they were made of the materials of Mount _Sina_, not improbable that they were marble: since the words were not many, the letters short of seven hundred, and the Tables written on both sides required no such capacity.

The beds of the Ancients were different from ours at present, which are almost square, being framed oblong, and about a double unto their breadth; not much unlike the _area_, or bed of this Quincuncial quadrate. The single beds of _Greece_ were six foot,[146] and a little more in length, three in breadth; the Giant-like bed of _Og_, which had four cubits of bredth, nine and a half in length, varied not much from this proportion. The Funeral bed of King _Cheops_, in the greater Pyramid, which holds seven in length, and four foot in bredth, had no great deformity from this measure; And whatsoever were the bredth, the length could hardly be lesse, of the tyrannical bed of _Procrustes_, since in a shorter measure he had not been fitted with persons for his cruelty of extension. But the old sepulchral bed, or _Amazonian_ Tomb[147] in the market-place of _Megara_, was in the form of a Lozenge; readily made out by the composure of the body. For the armes not lying fasciated or wrapt up after the _Grecian_ manner but in a middle distention, the including lines will strictly make out that figure.

[146] Aristot. Mechan.

[147] _Plut._ in vit. Thes.

CHAPTER III

Now although this elegant ordination of vegetables, hath found coincidence or imitation in sundry works of Art, yet is it not also dest.i.tute of natural examples, and though overlooked by all, was elegantly observable, in severall works of nature.

Could we satisfie our selves in the position of the lights above, or discover the wisedom of that order so invariably maintained in the fixed Stars of heaven; Could we have any light, why the stellary part of the first ma.s.se, separated into this order, that the Girdle of _Orion_ should ever maintain its line, and the two Stars in _Charles's_ Wain never leave pointing at the Pole-Starre, we might abate the _Pythagoricall_ Musick of the Spheres, the sevenfold Pipe of _Pan_; and the strange Cryptography of _Gaffarell_ in his Starrie Book of Heaven.

But not to look so high as Heaven or the single Quincunx of the _Hyades_ upon the neck of _Taurus_, the Triangle, and remarkable _Crusero_ about the foot of the _Centaur_; observable rudiments there are hereof in subterraneous concretions, and bodies in the Earth; in the _Gypsum_ or _Talc.u.m Rhomboides_, in the Favaginites or honey-comb-stone, in the _Asteria_ and _Astroites_, and in the crucigerous stone of S.

_Iago_ of _Gallicia_.

The same is observably effected in the _Julus_, _Catkins_, or pendulous excrescencies of severall Trees, of Wallnuts, Alders, and Hazels, which hanging all the Winter, and maintaining their Net-work close, by the expansion thereof are the early foretellers of the spring, discoverable also in long Pepper, and elegantly in the _Julus_ of _Calamus Aromaticus_, so plentifully growing with us in the first palms of Willowes, and in the flowers of Sycamore, Petasites, Asphodelus, and _Blattaria_, before explication. After such order stand the flowery Branches in our best spread _Verbasc.u.m_, and the seeds about the spicous head or torch of _Tapsus Barbatus_, in as fair a regularity as the circular and wreathed order will admit, which advanceth one side of the square, and makes the same Rhomboidall.

In the squamous heads of _Scabious_, _Knapweed_, and the elegant _Jacea Pinea_, and in the Scaly composure of the Oak-Rose,[148] which some years most aboundeth. After this order hath Nature planted the Leaves in the Head of the common and p.r.i.c.kled Artichoak: wherein the black and s.h.i.+ning Flies do shelter themselves, when they retire from the purple Flower about it; The same is also found in the p.r.i.c.ks, sockets, and impressions of the seeds, in the pulp or bottome thereof; wherein do elegantly stick the Fathers of their Mother. To omit the Quincunciall Specks on the top of the Miscle-berry, especially that which grows upon the _Tilia_ or Lime-Tree. And the remarkable disposure of those yellow fringes about the purple Pestill of _Aaron_, and elegant cl.u.s.ters of Dragons, so peculiarly secured by nature, with an _umbrella_ or skreening Leaf about them.

[148] Capitula squammata Querc.u.m Bauhini, _whereof though he saith_ perraro reperiuntur bis tantum invenimus, _yet we finde them commonly with us and in great numbers_.

[Sidenote: _Especially the_ porus cervinus Imperati, Sporosa, Alga p?at??????. Bauhini.]

The Spongy leaves of some Sea-wracks, Fucus, Oaks, in their several kindes, found about the sh.o.a.r,[149] with ejectments of the Sea, are overwrought with Net-work elegantly containing this order, which plainly declareth the naturality of this texture; And how the needle of nature delighteth to work, even in low and doubtful vegetations.

[149] Antho. Graec. inter Epigrammata ???f?d? ??d?? ??? ?t???

?a????? ??? pat??a.

The _Arbustetum_ or Thicket on the head of the Teazell, may be observed in this order: And he that considereth that fabrick so regularly palisadoed, and stemm'd with flowers of the royal colour; in the house of the solitary maggot, may finde the Seraglio of _Solomon_. And contemplating the calicular shafts, and uncous disposure of their extremities, so accommodable unto the office of abstersion, not condemn as wholly improbable the conceit of those who accept it, for the herb _Borith_.[150] Where by the way, we could with much inquiry never discover any transfiguration, in this abstemious insect, although we have kept them long in their proper houses, and boxes. Where some wrapt up in their webbs, have lived upon their own bowels, from _September_ unto _July_.

[150] _Jer._ 2, 22.

In such a grove doe walk the little creepers about the head of the burre. And such an order is observed in the aculeous p.r.i.c.kly plantation, upon the heads of several common thistles, remarkably in the notable palisados about the flower of the milk-thistle; And he that inquireth into the little bottome of the globe-thistle, may finde that gallant bush arise from a scalpe of like disposure.

The white umbrella or medicall bush of Elder, is an Epitome of this order: arising from five main stemms Quincuncially disposed, and tollerably maintained in their subdivisions. To omit the lower observations in the seminal spike of Mercurie weld, and Plantane.

Thus hath nature ranged the flowers of Santfoyne, and French honey suckle; and somewhat after this manner hath ordered the bush in _Jupiters_ beard, or house-leek; which old superst.i.tion set on the tops of houses, as a defensative against lightening and thunder. The like in Fenny Seagreen or the water Souldier;[151] which, though a military name from Greece, makes out the Roman order.

[151] Stratiotes.

A like ordination there is in the favaginous Sockets, and Lozenge seeds of the n.o.ble flower of the Sunne. Wherein in Lozenge figured boxes nature shuts up the seeds, and balsame which is about them.

But the Firre and Pinetree from their fruits doe naturally dictate this position. The Rhomboidall protuberances in Pineapples maintaining this Quincuncial order unto each other, and each Rhombus in it self. Thus are also disposed the triangular foliations, in the conicall fruit of the firre tree, orderly shadowing and protecting the winged seeds below them.

The like so often occurreth to the curiosity of observers, especially in spicated seeds and flowers, that we shall not need to take in the single Quincunx of Fuchsius in the grouth of the masle fearn, the seedie disposure of Gramen Ischemon, and the trunck or neat Reticulate work in the codde of the Sach.e.l.l palme.

For even in very many round stalk plants, the leaves are set after a Quintuple ordination, the first leaf answering the fift, in lateral disposition. Wherein the leaves successively rounding the stalk, in foure at the furthest the compa.s.s is absolved, and the fifth leafe or sprout, returns to the position of the other fift before it; as in accounting upward is often observable in furze pellitorye, Ragweed, the sproutes of Oaks, and thorns upon pollards, and very remarkably in the regular disposure of the rugged excrescencies in the yearly shoots of the Pine.

But in square stalked plants, the leaves stand respectively unto each other, either in crosse or decussation to those above or below them, arising at crosse positions; whereby they shadow not each other, and better resist the force of winds, which in a parallel situation, and upon square stalkes would more forcibly bear upon them.

And to omit, how leaves and sprouts which compa.s.se not the stalk, are often set in a Rhomboides, and making long and short Diagonals, do stand like the leggs of Quadrupeds when they goe: Nor to urge the thwart enclosure and furdling of flowers, and blossomes, before explication, as in the multiplied leaves of Pionie; And the Chiasmus in five leaved flowers, while one lies wrapt about the staminous beards, the other foure obliquely shutting and closing upon each other; and how even flowers which consist of foure leaves, stand not ordinarily in three and one, but two, and two crosse wise unto the Stilus; even the Autumnal budds, which awaite the return of the Sun, doe after the winter solstice multiply their calicular leaves, making little Rhombuses, and network figures, as in the Sycamore and Lilac.

The like is discoverable in the original production of plants which first putting forth two leaves, those which succeed, bear not over each other, but shoot, obliquely or crossewise, untill the stalk appeareth; which sendeth not forth its first leaves without all order unto them; and he that from hence can discover in what position the two first leaves did arise, is no ordinary observator.

Where by the way, he that observeth the rudimental spring of seeds, shall finde strict rule, although not after this order. How little is required unto effectual generation, and in what deminutives the plastick principle lodgeth, is exemplified in seeds, wherein the greater ma.s.s affords so little comproduction. In beans the leaf and root sprout from the Germen, the main sides split, and lye by, and in some pull'd up near the time of blooming, we have found the pulpous sides intire or little wasted. In Acorns the nebb dilating splitteth the two sides, which sometimes lye whole, when the Oak is sprouted two handfuls. In Lupins these pulpy sides do sometimes arise with the stalk in a resemblance of two fat leaves. Wheat and Rye will grow up, if after they have shot some tender roots, the adhering pulp be taken from them. Beanes will prosper though a part be cut away, and so much set as sufficeth to contain and keep the Germen close. From this superfluous pulp in unkindely, and wet years, may arise that multiplicity of little insects, which infest the Roots and Sprouts of tender Graines and pulses.

In the little nebbe or fructifying principle, the motion is regular, and not transvertible, as to make that ever the leaf, which nature intendeth the root; observable from their conversion, until they attain their right position, if seeds be set inversedly.

In vain we expect the production of plants from different parts of the seed, from the same _corculum_ or little original proceed both germinations; and in the power of this slender particle lye many Roots and Spoutings, that though the same be pull'd away, the generative particle will renew them again, and proceed to a perfect plant; And malt may be observed to grow, though the c.u.mmes be fallen from it.

The seminal nebbe hath a defined and single place, and not extended unto both extremes. And therefore many too vulgarly conceive that Barley and Oats grow at both ends; For they arise from one _punctilio_ or generative nebbe, and the Speare sliding under the husk, first appeareth nigh the toppe. But in Wheat and Rye being bare the sprouts are seen together. If Barley unhulled would grow, both would appear at once. But in this and Oat-meal the nebbe is broken away, which makes them the milder food, and lesse apt to raise fermentation in Decoctions.

Men taking notice of what is outwardly visible, conceive a sensible priority in the Root. But as they begin from one part, so they seem to start and set out upon one signall of nature. In Beans yet soft, in Pease while they adhere unto the Cod, the rudimentall Leafe and Root are discoverable. In the Seeds of Rocket and Mustard, sprouting in Gla.s.ses of water, when the one is manifest the other is also perceptible. In muddy waters apt to breed _Duckweed_, and Periwinkles, if the first and rudimentall stroaks of _Duckweed_ be observed, the Leaves and Root antic.i.p.ate not each other. But in the Date-stone the first sprout is neither root nor leaf distinctly, but both together; For the Germination being to pa.s.se through the narrow navel and hole about the midst of the stone, the generative germ is faine to enlengthen it self, and shooting out about an inch, at that distance divideth into the ascending and descending portion.

And though it be generally thought that Seeds will root at that end, where they adhere to their Originals, and observable it is that the nebbe sets most often next the stalk, as in Grains, Pulses, and most small Seeds, yet is it hardly made out in many greater plants. For in Acornes, Almonds, Pistachios, Wallnuts, and ac.u.minated sh.e.l.ls, the germ puts forth at the remotest part of the pulp. And therefore to set Seeds in that posture, wherein the Leaf and Roots may shoot right without contortion, or forced circ.u.mvolution, which might render them strongly rooted, and straighter, were a Criticisme in Agriculture. And nature seems to have made some provision hereof in many from their figure, that as they fall from the Tree they may lye in Positions agreeable to such advantages.

Beside the open and visible t.e.s.t.i.c.l.es of plants, the seminall powers lie in great part invisible, while the Sun findes polypody in stone-wals, the little stinging Nettle, and nightshade in barren sandy High-wayes, _Scurvy-gra.s.se_ in _Greeneland_, and unknown plants in earth brought from remote Countries. Beside the known longevity of some Trees, what is the most lasting herb, or seed, seems not easily determinable. Mandrakes upon known account have lived near an hundred yeares. Seeds found in Wilde-Fowls Gizards have sprouted in the earth. The Seeds of Marjorane and _Stramonium_ carelessly kept, have grown after seven years. Even in Garden-Plots long fallow, and digged up, the seeds of _Blattaria_ and yellow henbane, and after twelve years burial have produced themselves again.

That bodies are first spirits _Paracelsus_ could affirm, which in the maturation of Seeds and fruits, seems obscurely implied by[152]

_Aristotle_, when he delivereth, that the spirituous parts are converted into water, and the water into earth, and attested by observation in the maturative progresse of Seeds, wherein at first may be discerned a flatuous distention of the husk, afterwards a thin liquor, which longer time digesteth into a pulp or kernell observable in Almonds and large Nuts. And some way answered in the progressionall perfection of animall semination, in its spermaticall maturation, from crude p.u.b.escency unto perfection. And even that seeds themselves in their rudimentall discoveries, appear in foliaceous surcles, or sprouts within their coverings, in a diaphanous gellie, before deeper incra.s.sation, is also visibly verified in Cherries, Acorns, Plums.

[152] In met. c.u.m Gabeo.

From seminall considerations, either in reference unto one mother, or distinction from animall production, the holy Scripture describeth the vegetable creation; And while it divideth plants but into Herb and Tree, though it seemeth to make but an accidental division, from magnitude, it tacitely containeth the naturall distinction of vegetables, observed by Herbarists, and comprehending the four kinds. For since the most naturall distinction is made from the production of leaf or stalk, and plants after the two first seminall leaves, do either proceed to send forth more leaves, or a stalk, and the folious and stalky emission distinguisheth herbs and trees, in a large acception it compriseth all Vegetables, for the frutex and suffrutex are under the progression of trees, and stand Authentically differenced, but from the accidents of the stalk.

The aequivocal production of things under undiscerned principles, makes a large part of generation, though they seem to hold a wide univocacy in their set and certain Originals, while almost every plant breeds its peculiar insect, most a b.u.t.terfly, moth or fly, wherein the Oak seemes to contain the largest seminality, while the Julus, Oak, apple, dill, woolly tuft, foraminous roundles upon the leaf, and grapes under ground make a Fly with some difference. The great variety of Flyes lyes in the variety of their Originals, in the Seeds of Caterpillars or Cankers there lyeth not only a b.u.t.terfly or Moth, but if they be sterill or untimely cast, their production is often a Fly, which we have also observed from corrupted and mouldred Egges, both of Hens and Fishes; To omit the generation of Bees out of the bodies of dead Heifers, or what is strange yet well attested, the production of Eeles[153] in the backs of living Cods and Perches.