SECT. I. THE FLOWER. 1 1 5 



on the surface. But this phenomenon does not 

 take place in oil. 



Hedwig describes the globules of pollen as con- 

 sisting of only one vascular membrane filled with 

 a gelatinous fluid, but without any cellular sub- 

 stance interspersed. The globule explodes instan- 

 taneously when placed in warm water. 



Koelreuter describes each globule as consisting 

 of two distinct membranes, an outer and an inner 

 membrane, containing a cellular mass, from which a 

 thin oily and inflammable fluid slowly exudes when 

 placed in water, forming a shining and conspicuous 

 pellicle that floats on the surface. 



It is plain that the above descriptions have been 

 taken from the pollen of different species of plants ; 

 as they are too much at variance with one another 

 to agree to the same species ; but from the known 

 accuracy of the observers it is to be believed they 

 are respectively correct. The sudden explosion of 

 the globules is the more common phenomenon. 

 But there may also be some globules that exhibit 

 the phenomenon described by Koelreuter. For 

 in the Contorts and some of the Orchidea the 

 anthers are altogether a solid and homogeneous 

 mass, and do not burst open like anthers in 

 general, but gradually extricate an oily and 

 inflammable fluid, as it is elaborated within 

 them.* 



* Gaert. Introd. 

 I 2 



