in botany, the bud or germ. See Plume.

GEMMA.

PLUMIRE (Charles), a learned Minim, born at Marfeilles, and one of the most able botanists of the 17th century. He was instructed by the famous Maignan, who taught him mathematics, turnery, the art of making spectacles, burning-glasses, microscopes, and other works. He at length went to Rome to perfect himself in his studies, and there applied himself entirely to botany under a skilful Italian. At his return to Provence, he settled in the convent at Borne, a maritime place near Hieres, where he had the conveniency of making discoveries in the fields with respect to simples. He was some time after sent by the French king to America, to bring from thence such plants as might be of service in medicine. He made three different voyages to the Antilles, and stopped at the island of St Domingo. The king honoured him with a pension; and he at last settled at Paris. However, at the desire of M Fagon, he prepared to go a fourth time to America, to examine the tree which produces the Jesuits bark; but died at the port of Santa Maria, near Cadiz, in 1706. He wrote several excellent works; the principal of which are, 1. A volume of the plants in the American Islands. 2. A treatise on the American fern. 3. The Art of Turnery; a curious work embellished with plates.