[ 161 ] 



* XX. Contributions to Vegetable Embryology, fiom Observation* on the Origin 

 and Development of the Embryo in Tropaeoiam majos. By H*rbi*t 

 GiraJd, M.D., F.B.S.K, $c. Communicated by the Secretary. 



Read February 1st, 184'2. 



IN a paper published in the 'Annals of Natural History ' (June 1840), I 

 pointed out. the state of the inquiry regarding the origin and development' of 

 the Vegetable Embryo, by presenting a view of the late researches which have 

 been conducted on the Continent with reference to this subject; and I then- 

 showed that, from the conflicting nature of the results obtained by the obser- 

 vations of Schleiden* and Wydlerf, and of Mirbel and SpachJ, taken in con- 

 junction with certain morphological considerations, our opinions regarding 

 the origin of the Embryo were still indeterminate; and that it yet remained 

 for further observations and inquiries to establish a true theory of phanero- 

 gamic embryogeny. In a recent work by Auguste de Saint-Hilaire$, this 

 subject is fully and most ably discussed ; and after presenting a fair state- 

 ment of the late observations of Schleiden and of Mirbel, and after showing 

 the opposite views to which these observers would respectively conduct us, 

 this author concludes by thus pointing out the necessity of further investiga- 

 tion : « EspeVons que de nouvelles recherches acheveront de lever les doutes 

 que Ton pourrait concevoir encore." The importance of forming a determi- 

 nate conclusion regarding the origin of the embryo is greatly enhanced by 

 the influence it must have in determining our notions of the nature and en- 



* Schleiden, < Sur la Formation de l'Ovule, et l'Origine de l'Embryon dans les Phane>ogames.' 

 Ann. des Sci. Nat., 2nde Serie, Botan. Mars, 1839. 



t Wydler, 'Note sur la Formation de l'Embryon.' (Extrait d'une lettre de M. Wvdler, profes- 

 ? eur a Berne, communique" par M. A. de St. Hilaire a l'Academie des Sciences a Paris. Oct. 1838.) 



I • Notes pour servir a 1'Histoire de 1'EmbryoIogie Veg^tale. Par MM. Mirbel et Spach.' Ann 

 des Sciences Nat., 2nde Serie, Botan. Avril, 1839. 



§ • Lecons de Botanique, comprenant principalement la Morphologic Veggtale. Par Amru-te de 

 St. Hilaire.' Paris 1841. 



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