The Doctor says[203] ‘It is not possible to imagine how one uniform, homogeneous Matter, having its Principles, or original Parts, all of the same Substance, Constitution, Magnitude, Figure, and Gravity, should ever constitute Bodies so egregiously _unlike_, in all those Respects, as Vegetables of different Kinds are; nay, even as the different Parts of the _same_ Vegetable.’ [203] In _Philos. Trans._ No. 253. ‘That there should be that vast Difference in them, in their several Constitutions, Makes, Properties, and Effects, and yet all arise from the very same Sort of Matter, would be very strange.’ _Answer._ ’Tis very probable, that the terrestrial Particles which constitute _Vegetables_, tho’ inconceivably minute, may be of great Variety of Figure, and other Differences; else they could not be capable of the several Ferments, _&c._ they must undergo in the Vessels of Plants. Their Smalness can be no Objection to their Variety, since even the Particles of Light are of various Kinds. But as the Doctor asserts, ‘That each Part of the same _Vegetable_ requires a peculiar specific Matter for its Formation and Nourishment; and that there are very many and different Ingredients to go to the Composition of the same individual Plants;’ From hence must be inferred, that the same Plant takes in very many and different Ingredients (and it is proved, that no Plant refuses any Ingredient[204] that is capable of entering its Roots. Tho’ the terrestrial Particles which nourish _Vegetables_, be not perfectly homogeneous; yet most of the various Tastes and Flavours of Plants are made in and by the Vessels[205]. [204] Dr. _Grew_, in his Anatomy of Plants, by microscopical Inspection, found, that the outer Superficies of Roots was of a spongy Substance; and ’tis well known, that no such Body can refuse to imbibe whatever Liquor comes in Contact with it, but will by its springy Porosity absorb any sort of Moisture. [205] We are convinced, that ’tis the Vessels of Plants that make the different Flavours; because there is none of these Flavours in the Earth of which they are made, until that has enter’d and been alter’d by the vegetable Vessels. Doctor _Woodward_ says, ‘That Water will pass Pores and Interstices, that neither Air, nor any other Fluid, will: This enables it to enter the finest Tubes and Vessels of Plants, and to introduce the terrestrial Matter, conveying it to all Parts of them; whilst each, by means of Organs ’tis endow’d with for the Purpose, intercepts, and assumes into itself, such Particles as are suitable to its own Nature[206]; letting the rest pass on _through the common Ducts_.’ [206] If the Doctor’s Plants were so nice in leaving vegetable Matter _behind, quiet and undisturb’d_, ’tis a Wonder they would take up the mineral Matter, as, he says, they did, that kill’d themselves with Nitre.