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XII. On some remarkable Deviations j^ the usual Structure of 
Seeds and Fruits. By Robert Browh, Esq. F.R.S., Lib. L.S. 
Read March 5, 1816. 
Tur principal part of the following paper was read to the So- 
ciety in March 1813. It was then withdrawn with a view of 
rendering it more perfect by additional facts, which I hoped I 
might be able to collect. Since that time I have not had it in my 
power to pay much attention to the subject. As, however, the 
facts formerly stated appear to me of some importance, and are 
as yet unpublished, I take the liberty of again submitting them 
to the Society, along with a few additional instances of anoma- 
lies in the structure of seeds and fruits, hardly less remarkable 
than those contained in the original essay. sp 
It is, I believe, generally admitted by physiological botanists, 
that the seeds of plants are never produced absolutel y naked :—in 
other words, that the’ integument through some point or process 
of which impregnation takes place, cannot properly be considered 
as part of the seed itself. AES 
That such a covering, distinct from the seed, really exists, may 
in most, perhaps in all, cases be satisfactorily shown by a careful 
examination of the unimpregnated ovarium, to a part only of 
whose cavity the ovulum will be found to be attached. 
There are, however, many cases where soon after foecundation, 
and more remarkably still in the ripe fruit, this integument ac- 
quires 
