LINNEAK SOCIETY OF LONDON. XXIX 



moir " On Triplosporite, an undescribed Fossil Fruit," published 

 in the Linnean Transactions in 1851. The pervading and distin- 

 guishing character of all these writings is to be found in the com- 

 bination of the minutest accuracy of detail wTith the most compre- 

 hensive generalization. No theory is propounded which does not 

 rest for its foundation on the most circumspect investigation of 

 all attainable facts. In perusing them, we are first struck with 

 the evident completeness of the investigation, and next with the 

 Avonderful sagacity with which the ascertained facts are brought to 

 bear upon the question at issue. And these distinguishing quali- 

 ties are equally obvious throughout the wide range of objects 

 treated of, whether in the anatomy, the physiology, the classifica- 

 tion, the description, the distribution, or the affinities of plants, 

 and in the examination both of recent and fossil structures. Amons: 

 the most important anatomical and physiological subjects of which 

 they treat, particular mention is due to the discovery of the 

 nucleus of the vegetable cell, and of the circumscribed circulation 

 on the walls of particular cells ; the development of the stamina, 

 together with the mode of feciuidation, in AsclepiadecB and Or- 

 cJiidece; the development of the pollen and of the ovulum in 

 Phsenogamous plants, with the peculiarities of the latter in Coni- 

 ferd and Gycadece, and the bearing of these facts upon the general 

 subject of impregnation ; the origin and development of the sporea 

 of Mosses ; and the discovery of the peculiar motions which take 

 place in the "active molecviles" of matter when seen suspended 

 ill a fluid under the microscope. Of structural investigations, 

 the most important are those which establish the relation of a 

 flower to the axis from which it is derived, and of the parts of a 

 flower to each other, as regards both position and number ; the 

 analogy between stamina and pistilla ; the neiu-ation of the corolla 

 of Compositce, their aestivation and inflorescence ; and the struc- 

 ture of the stems of Gycadece, both recent and fossil. To the study 

 of fossil botany Mr. Brown was always strongly attached, and with 

 a view to its prosecution he formed an extensive and valuable col- 

 lection of fossil woods, which he has bequeathed under certain 

 conditions to the British Museum. His collections in other de- 

 partments were also considerable, and his library very extensive. 



In private life Mr. Brown's character was thoroughly estimable. 

 Shrinking, ^vith instinctive modesty, from all public employments, 

 whether professional or otherwise, which appeared to involve any- 

 thing like display, he was sometimes thought, by those who knew 

 him little, to be cold, distant, and reserved ; while those who were 



