46 



PAKT 11. 



REVIEWS. 



Art. I. A brief Account of Microscopical Observations made in 

 the Months qfJune, July^ and August, 1827, on the Particles con- 

 tained in the Pollen of Plants ; and on the general Existence of 

 active Molecules in organic and inorganic Bodies. By Robert 

 Brown, F.R.S. &c. [Not published.] 



This little unpublished pamphlet, consisting of. sixteen 

 pages, has excited more curiosity at home and abroad than 

 any thing we recollect for many years. It is the production 

 of a gentleman who is acknowledged by every one to stand at 

 the head of botanical science, and who deserves confidence for 

 the correctness of his observations, and for the faithfulness 

 with which he records them. His discovery is no less than 

 this, that the ultimate particle he can obtain from all bodies, 

 organic and inorganic, has inherent motion, like unto vital 

 action. 



A discovery like this is not likely to be received without 

 considerable scepticism : and hence we find one portion of the 

 world believing by the exercise of faith; and another, by far the 

 larger portion, doubting the existence of the facts, because 

 their theories anticipate the laws of nature, and they have not 

 patience to await for further information. No doubt microsco- 

 pical observers, by seeking for magnifying power, and not for 

 distinctness, are very subject to causes of illusion, and that 

 many of the wonders which they have seen are to be referred 

 to a lively imagination. Not so, however, the philosopher who 

 now claims our attention. He is patient in observing, scru- 

 pulous in admitting, and faithful in recording, and, moreover, 

 is borne out in his facts by a cloud of witnesses. 



To make his observations, Mr. Brown employed a simple 

 lens, the focal length of which was about 3V of an inch, but 

 he had recourse to much higher powers, to confirm them, and 

 to investigate several minute points. 



The several steps of the author's enquiry are more fully 

 stated in his pamphlet than it is necessary to do here ; but in 



