figured somewhat like the
branchings of _Urine_, but much smaller.

17 But there is a _Vegetable_ which does exceedingly imitate these
branches, and that is, _Fearn_, where the main stem may be observ'd to
shoot out branches, and the stems of each of these _lateral_ branches, to
send forth _collateral_, and those _subcollateral_ and those
_laterosubcollateral,_ &c. and all those much after the same order with the
branchings, divisions, and subdivisions in the branchings of these Figures
in frozen _Urine_; so that if the Figures of both be well consider'd, one
would ghess that there were not much greater need of a _seminal principle_
for the production of _Fearn_, then for the production of the branches of
_Urine_, or the _Stella martis_, there seeming to be as much form and
beauty in the one as in the other.

And indeed, this Plant of _Fearn_, if all particulars be well consider'd,
will seem of as simple, and uncompounded a form as any _Vegetable_, next to
_Mould_ or _Mushromes_, and would next after the invention of the forms of
those, deserve to be enquir'd into; for notwithstanding several have
affirm'd it to have seed, and to be propagated thereby; yet, though I have
made very diligent enquiry after that particular, I cannot find that there
is any part of it that can be imagin'd to be more seminal then another: But
this onely here by the by:

For the freezing Figures in _Urine_, I found it requisite,

First, that the Superficies be not disturbed with any wind, or other
commotion of the air, or the like.

Secondly, that it be not too long exposed, so as that the whole bulk be
frozen, for oftentimes, in such cases, by reason of the swelling the of
_Ice_, or from some other cause, the curious branched Figures disappear.

Thirdly, an artificial freezing with _Snow_ and _Salt_, apply'd to the
outside of the containing Vessel, succeeds not well, unless there be a very
little quantity in the Vessel.

Fourthly, If you take any cleer and smooth Glass, and wetting all the
inside of it with _Urine_, you expose it to a very sharp freezing, you will
find it cover'd with a very regular and curious Figure.

II.

_Observables in figur'd _Snow_._

Exposing a piece of black Cloth, or a black Hatt to the falling _Snow_, I
have often with great pleasure, observ'd such an infinite variety of
curiously figur'd _Snow_, that it would be as impossible to draw the Figure
and shape of every one of them, as to imitate exactly the cu