ON THE EMBRYO OF TROP(EOLUM MAJUS. 623 
On the Embryo of TRoP&oLvuM Masus. By W. Wirsox, Esa. 
(With two plates. Tas, XXII. XXIII.)* 
Two essays on this subject have already appeared before the 
botanical world; the first by Schleiden, embodied in his 
memoir on the ovule of Phanérogames, in support of his 
novel anti-sexual theory ; the other by Herbert Giraud, M.D., 
in the Proceedings of the Linnean Society for Feb. 1842, 
p. 123; and as both of them are materially erroneous, I pro- 
pose to give a critical examination of the labours of these, 
my precursors, in conjunction with a true account of the 
structure of the Embryo. 
Let me observe, by way of preface, that I have spent 
some time in researches of this kind with the same design as 
that which actuated Dr. Giraud, and that I first entered on 
the study of this particular plant with the full expectation of 
confirming, rather than of disproving his statements. In this 
I was disappointed, and I have, in consequence, addressed 
myself to the arduous task of thoroughly investigating this 
very remarkable subject. My labour has been well rewarded, 
and the results are the more satisfactory, inasmuch as they 
furnish the strongest argument I can ever hope to bring 
against the theory of Schleiden. Ifan observer overlooks or 
misconceives things which are obvious and tangible, his 
statements in reference to what is so recondite as to be 
hidden from those who review his labours, far from supplying 
a solid basis whereon to found a theory opposed to all 
analogy, may be safely disregarded. Embryogeny seems to 
, as yet, a science “far more fertile in inductions than in 
facts ;” and it will be seen that Schleiden has ventured to 
theorize in opposition to facts, which he might easily have 
discovered, if he had been only a little more scrupulous and 
diligent. I beg to refer the reader to the translation of 
* By mistake the numbers on the plates are Tab. xx, and xxi. The 
reader is requested to correct them. 
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