MELONS, CYCAS, &C. 33* 



periment is the more important, as the abbe 

 Spallanzani has recorded one made by him- 

 self upon the same species of plant, with a 

 contrary result. But as he has said nothing 

 of the appearance of the stigmas, his expe- 

 riment must yield to that of Linnseus in 

 point of accuracy ; and even if his account 

 be otherwise correct, the result is easily ex- 

 plained. Hemp, Spinach, some Nettles, &c, 

 naturally dioecious, are occasional^ not com- 

 pletely so, a few latent barren or fertile 

 flowers being frequently found among those 

 of the other sort, by which provision is made 

 against accidents, and the perfecting of a few 

 seeds, at any rate, secured; 



In general, germens whose stigmas have 

 not received the pollen wither away without 

 swelling at all, but some grow to a considera- 

 ble size, and in such the substance of the 

 seed, its skin, and even its cotyledons, are 

 often to be found, the embryo only being 

 wanting. In a Melon or Cucumber it is 

 common to find, among numerous perfect 

 seeds, many mere unimpregnated husks. In 

 the magnificent Cycas revoiuta which bore 

 fruit at the bishop of Winchester's, and of 



