432 BOTANICAL INFORMATION. 
The above are the most general and best proved of my 
observations, which may be shortly stated thus: namely, that 
the stigma is always acid; that it is in consequence of this 
acidity that the pollen bursts: that by the same means the 
fluid contents become coagulated, enveloping the fovilla, and 
assuming, according to the method of dehiscence, different 
and very remarkable forms. 
I am aware that these observations render still more obscure 
the operations of the pollen on the ovule. It is difficult to 
conceive how the fovilla entangled in a coagulated mass, can 
reach the ovule. But we must be contented to take truth as 
wefind it. It is the object of the natural historian to observe, 
rather than explain. 
If. you think the foregoing phenomena worthy of your 
attention, I can supply you with a copy of the diagrams. 
which I have drawn from the examination of numerous spe- 
cies, belonging to many families. The operations of the 
laws which I have just described, seem to me to be fraught 
with phenomena of great interest in detail, and perhaps upon 
examination, you may consider the subject worthy of being 
brought before the British Association. 
- Apologising for intruding upon time so valuable as yours, 
.I have the honour to remain, 
eee Vi ; ‘My Dear Sir, 
dabi elser Your obliged Pupil, 
m odi Joun ALDRIDGE. 
| .XXVIIL BOTANICAL INFORMATION. 
| eee we have had the pleasure of receiving intelligence from Mr Gard- 
"The —E are extracts from his correspondence.] 
Viia DE NATIVIDADE, PROVINCE OF Govaz, 
Brazi, January 6th, 1840. 
UT ty two months ago, I wrote pretty fully, giving a 
journey from the city of. Oeiras to this place; 
have not uch that i is VIPRertant- to commu- 
