- of feveral species of Pollen. 7 1 



fpeedily fuch matters pafs into the vinous ftate, it feems poffible 

 that both of thefe might contain alcohol. Yet, it is alfo pofllble 

 that fomething common to this latter fubftance, with the faccha- 

 rine matter it is producible from, may be the real exciting caufe. 



The cxiftence of abforbent vefTcls in the pollen is proved by the 

 change of form, increafed tranfparency, and great diftention pro- 

 duced by the water. It is remarkable, that complete faturation 

 ufually brings the grains near to a fplierical (hape, however remote 

 from it their original one. 



It fcems necefTary to fuppofe the parenchyma for the following 

 reafons. Something is evidently given out to the fpirit before the 

 difperfion of the grain commences. In fome cafes this is vifible In 

 minute particles moving about in the drop ; in others it is difcover- 

 able by the tinge on the dried fpace, and by the ftriiE which appear 

 when more fpirit is added. Now, if the grains confifted merely of 

 the vegetable fibre formed into veficles or cells, their texture would 

 no more be deftroyed by fpirit than by water, and the penetration 

 of the water would produce the fame motions as that of the fpirit. 

 But if we luppofe that, in proportion as the fpirit penetrates the 

 feveral parts of thefe curious capfulcs, fome tranfparent fubftance 

 is forcibly expelled from them ; the various motions into which 

 they are thrown will be eafily explained by the recoil of the grain in 

 the oppofite direflion. It will hence appear why the pollen of t. 

 which feems to confift of many feparate cell?, is driven alternately 

 in all dire6lions by their fucceflive difcharge, and why that of 4.. 

 which is a long tube rolled up, and probably with but one orifictii. 

 is thrown into a rotatory motion. The opacity of this fpecies durin"" 

 the difcharge may be attributed to the evacuation of thi« canak 

 and the returning tranfparency to the entrance of the (pirit int^o, it 

 from the abforbent veflels, or at the orifice. I do not remember to 



have 



