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XVIII. Observations on the Germination of the Filices. By the 

 Reverend JOHN MACVICAR, Dundee. Communicated by 

 the Reverend JOHN FLEMING, D. D. F. R. S. E. &c. 



(Read June 6. 1824.; 



SINCE the perfecting of a Natural Arrangement has become the 

 grand object of scientific pursuit, it has been found necessary to 

 enter more minutely than was required by an artificial system, 

 into modifications of structure and function. Botanists have no 

 longer rested satisfied with observing plants in their fully de- 

 veloped forms, but have also had recourse to several other periods 

 in the existence of vegetable life, the observance of which gives 

 much insight into the organisation of the individual. Of these 

 there is none more important than germination, which is often 

 the only means afforded for ascertaining the structure of the 

 seed. This is the case with all the cryptogamic tribes, the seeds 

 of which are generally so minute, that many of them must be 

 brought together before they be distinctly visible. With such 

 subjects dissection is hopeless, and a knowledge of their struc- 

 ture can only be derived, during their formation and evolution. 

 The observations on this subject are as yet few, and those that 

 have been made do not accord well with each other. Such at 

 least is thought to be the case with the evolution of the Ferns. 

 It appears, however, by a repetition of the experiments, and an 

 uninterrupted series of observations on the evolution of the spo- 

 rule from first to last, that the discrepance of observation arises, 

 not from any inaccuracy on the part of any observer, but by each 

 looking at periods of evolution different from the other ; by do- 

 VOL. x. P. ii. L 1 



