cf fever al Species of Pollen. jt 



fpeedily fuch matters pafs into the vinous flate, it fccms poflTiblc 

 that both of thefe might contain alcohol. Yet, it is allb poflible 

 that fomething common to this latter Tubftancc, with the faccha- 

 rine matter it is proJuciblc from, may be the real exciting caufe. 



The exiftence of abforbent veflels in the pollen is proved by the 

 change of form, increafeJ tranfparcncy, and great diitcntion piro- 

 duced by the water. It is remarkable, that complete laturation: 

 ufually brings the grains near to a fpherical fliape, however remote 

 from it their original one. 



It feems neccflary to fuppofe the parenchyma for the following 

 reafons. Somethmg is evidently given out to the fpirit before the 

 difperfion of the grain commences. In fome cafes this is vifiblc in 

 minute particles moving about in the drop; in others it is difcover- 

 able by the tinge on the dried fpace, and by the ftria: which appear 

 when more fpirit is added. Now, if the grains confined merely of 

 the vegetable fibre formed into veficlcs or cells, their texture would 

 no more be deftroyed by fpirit than by water, and the penetration 

 of the water would produce the fame motions as that of the fpirit. 

 But if we f.ippofe that, in proportion as the fpirit penetrates the 

 feveral parts of thefe curious capfules, fome tranfparent fubflance 

 is forcibly expelled from them ; the various motions into which 

 they are thrown will be eafily explained by the recoil of the grain in 

 the oppofite direction. It will hence appear why the pollen of i. 

 which feems to confift of many fcparate cells, is driven alternately 

 in all directions by their fucceflive difcharge, and why that of 4. 

 which is a long tube rolled up, and probably with but one orifice, 

 is thrown into a rotatory motion. The opacity jof this fpecies during 

 the difcharge may be attributed to the evacuation of this canal, 

 and the returning tranfparency to the entrance of the fpirit into it 

 from the abforbent ve fills or at the orifice. . I do not remember to 



have 



