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HI. Account of a Micnfcoplcal ItweJUgatlon of fever al Speciei of Pollen, 

 •with Remarks and ^eftlons on the StruSiure and Ufe of that Part of 

 Vegetables. By Luke Howard, Efq. of Plaiflow in EJJex. 



Read March 4, 1800. 



In the Spring of 1795, having much leifure, I devoted a portion 

 of it to the examination of various minute productions of Nature in 

 a good conipound microfcope. Thefe refearches would probably 

 have terminated in prefent information and amufement only, but 

 that they were accidentally tamed to the pollen of flowers, re- 

 fpeiSling which, as a botanift, I found an inclination to inform my- 

 felf, by comparing the feveral fpecics together. 



I began my obfervations with the Hazel-tree, Corylus Avellana. 

 On a calm dry day I fhook off fome of the pollen from the expanded 

 catkins upon a clean piece of w^riting- paper. I alfo gathered fome 

 of the catkins and female buds. Thefe I viewed feparately on a 

 clear plate of glafs, ufually tranfmitting the light through them from 

 a fpeculum below, and with different magnifying powers, prefer- 

 ring thofe which, without enormoudy enlarging the objefts, gave 

 a clear view of the ftrufture and pofition of feveral at once. As I 

 purfued this method with the reft I examined, I mention this to fave 

 repetition, and (hall give the appearances from notes made at the 

 time. 



I. Corylus Avellana. Anthers furnifhed with tranfparent horn- 

 like appendages. Pollen crumbles from the furface, and is fome- 

 times fo abundant as to fall in a vifible cloud on the flighteft motion 



Vol. VI. K of 



