204 FERNS. CHAP. I* 



under the highest magnifier, are found to consist of 

 a small pedicle supporting a minute globule filled 

 with a granulated mass. These Hedwig regards 

 as stamens,* partly from the analogy of their figure, 

 and partly from their disappearing in the mature 

 state of the plant as the stamens in other plants dis- 

 appear before the fruit ripens. The pistils he 

 describes as globules sitting or supported upon pedi- 

 cles, which are ultimately converted into the 

 capsules that contain the seed ; but without speci- 

 fically determining the stigma. 



Of Bern- The above conjecture may, perhaps, be the fact, 

 but must not be implicitly relied on, at least till sup- 

 ported by further evidence. And botanists do not 

 indeed seern to regard it as of much value. Bern- 

 hardi, a later writer than Hedwig and an observer of 

 great known accuracy, has introduced a different 

 hypothesis founded upon a different view of the 

 subject. He regards the white speck discoverable 

 on the upper surface of the frond, which is opposite 

 to the black spot or patch on the under surface, as 

 the stigma of the dorsiferous Ferns, and the small 

 globular bodies situated on the edge of the frond as 

 the stamens. I am not acquainted with the reasons 

 on which this conjecture is founded, not having 

 seen Bernhardi's paper on the subject, but there 

 seems a plausibility in it beyond that of Hedwig's, 

 which, whether it is founded in truth or not, future 

 observation must be left to decide. But if the fact 



*TheoviaFruct. 



