Theophrasti De Historia Plantarum (1483 Incunabulum)

But those names are missing, just as each of the uniform instruments is missing. Indeed, the particles of all such things lack a name, although the particles of multiform things are known by their own names, such as the foot, the hand, the head, the finger, the nose, the eye. These are considered the greatest parts of plants. But there are also others of which these consist: bark, wood, and matrix—where, indeed, it can exist. These all consist of similar particles, which the former ones possess, and by which these are consumed, such as humor, nerve, vein, and flesh. These, indeed, are the principles, unless you call them the powers of the elements. But they possess those things common to all. Thus, the essence and the entire nature of plants consist in these things. Some indeed are added as if they were annual parts, which are accommodated to the birth of fruits, such as the leaf, the flower, and the pedicel original: "pediculus", that is, that by which the leaf hangs. In addition to these, there is the tendril original: "capriolus" and moss, where, indeed, it can exist, and above all, the fruit itself. Fruit is that which consists of flesh and seed. Furthermore, there are some things proper to certain plants, such as a gall on an oak original: "rubori", or a tendril on a vine. We can pursue trees in this way. But it is established that for annuals, only annuals are born. For their nature extends itself only as far as the fruit. Some fructify in their one year. Some endure for two years, such as celery original: "apium" and certain others. And for those which occupy more time, a stem will be fitting for all of these in proportion. For when they give birth to seed, they then emit a stem, as they are things which bring forth a stem only for the sake of the seed; it is pleasing that these be distinguished in this way. Now we must attempt to render known by a definition what each of the last-mentioned parts is. The humor, therefore, is clear, which some simply call liquid in all things. Just as also a certain menestor likely a reference to an early botanical theorist takes it without a name in others, but in some they call it liquid, and in others, a tear. The nerve and veins themselves lack a name. By some similarity, they share the names of the parts of animals. Perhaps these also differ among themselves by other differences, and the entire genus of plants differs in total. It is, indeed, varied and manifold, as we proposed. But since it is appropriate that we pursue unknown things through known ones, those things which are greater and more patent must be offered to the senses. Therefore, beyond doubt, one must speak of these first, as they govern. We shall have to reduce the rest to these very things, insofar as and in what way each seems to touch upon the similarity. When we have taken the parts, we must add their differences. Thus, both the nature will be evident and the difference of the entire genus will be conspicuous. The difference of the greatest parts has therefore almost been spoken of, namely, the root, the stem, and the rest. For the powers of each, and for the sake of which things each exists, we shall speak of later. It is necessary to explain first those things of which both this and the rest consist, taking the beginning from the first things. The first are humor and heat. For all plants possess a certain humor and heat inherent in them, just as animals do, which, when they begin to fail, are followed by old age and diminution. And when they have failed completely, drying out and death take hold. In the first of these, the humor lacks a name. But in some, as has been said, they are called by this same name. Or it is permitted to perceive this in the genus of animals.