the case of some plants give it no special name, while in some they call it 'juice,' and in others 'gum.' Fibre and 'veins,'[1] have no special names in relation to plants, but, because of the resemblance, borrow the names of the corresponding parts of animals. [2]It may be however that, not only these things, but the world of plants generally, exhibits also other differences as compared with animals: for, as we have said,[3] the world of plants is manifold. However, since it is by the help of the better known that we must pursue the unknown, and better known are the things which are larger and plainer to our senses, it is clear that it is right to speak of these things in the way indicated: for then in dealing with the less known things we shall be making these better known things our standard, and shall ask how far and in what manner comparison is possible in each case. And when we have taken the parts,[4] we must next take the differences which they exhibit,[5] for thus will their essential nature become plain, and at the same time the general differences between one kind of plant and another.
Now the nature of the most important parts has been indicated already, that is, such parts as the root, the stem, and the rest: their functions and the reasons for which each of them exists will be set forth presently. For we must endeavour to state of what these, as well as the rest, are composed, starting from their elementary constituents.
First come moisture and warmth: for every plant, like every animal, has a certain amount of moisture and warmth which essentially belong to it; and, if these fall short, age and decay, while, if they fail altogether, death and withering ensue. Now in
