the Vecuji^dthn of Vegeir.hlcs. lO-J 



be oDtained by this procefs, and that nature intended that a 

 fexual intercourfe fliould tak<i' place between neighbouring 

 plants of the fame fpecies. The probability of this will^ I 

 think, be apparent, uhen we take a view cf the variety of 

 methods which nature has taken to difperfe the farina, even 

 of thofe plants in which it has placed the male and female 

 parts within the fame empalement. It is often fcattered byaa 

 elaftic exertion of the filaments which fupport it, on the firil 

 opening of the bloflbm ; and its excefilve lightnefs renders it 

 capable of being carried to a great diliance bv the wind. Its 

 pofition within the bloflbm is generally well adapted to place 

 it on the bodies of infcfts ; and the villous coat of the nu- 

 merous family of bees, is not lefs well calculated to carr\' it. 

 I liave frequently obferved, with great pleafure, the difperfiou 

 of the farina of fome of the grafles when the fun had juft 

 rifen in a dewy morning. It feemed to be impelled from the 

 plant with confiderable force ; and, being blue, was eafily 

 vifible, and very ftrongly refembled, in appearance, the ex- 

 plofion of a grain of gunpowder. An examination of the 

 rtru6lure of the bloffoms of masiy plants, will immediatclv 

 point out, that nature has fomething more in view, than that 

 its own proper males (liould fecundate each bloflbm ; for the 

 means it employs are always' thofe beft calculated to anfwer 

 the intended purpofe. But the farina is often fo placed, that 

 it cat! never reach the fummit of the pointal, unlefs by ad- 

 ventitious means ; and many trials have convinced me, that 

 it has no ailion on any other part of it. In promoting this 

 fexual intercourfe between neighbouring plants of the fame 

 fpecies, nature appears to me to have an important purpofs 

 in view; for, independent of its flimulative power, this in- 

 tercourfe certainly tends to confine, w-ithin more narrow 

 limits, thofe variations which accidental richnefs or poverty 

 of foil ufually produces. It may be objected, by thofe whc? 

 admit the exiftence of vegetable mules, that, under this ex- 

 tenfive intercourfe, thefe muft have been more numerous; 

 but my total want of fuccefs, in many endeavours, to produce 

 a fingle mule plant, makes me much difpofed to believe that 

 hybrid plants have been miUakcn for mules ; and to doubt 



(with 



