SECT. II. AGENCY OF THE POLLEN. 36 L 



on a variety of other species, all of which exhibited 

 similar appearances in the generation of the seed, 

 Spalknzani concludes that the seeds pre-exist in the 

 ovary before the access of the pollen, by which 

 they are merely rendered fertile ; and contends that 

 the embryo, though not previously perceptible, may 

 yet previously exist.* 



The theory of the ovarists is supported also by Gaertaer* 

 Gsertner, who describes the vegetable egg as pre- 

 existing in the ovary, where, furnished with its 

 proper integuments, it waits the fecundating in- 

 fluence of the pollen which is necessary to its com- 

 plete developement ; so that it requires in fact the 

 exertion of two distinct energies to bring it to per- 

 fection, the vital principle, and the seminal ; the 

 former generating and organizing the different parts 

 of which the egg consists in common with the 

 other parts of the plant ; and the latter communi- 

 cating to the egg thus formed a distinct vegetable 

 life.f 



SUBSECTION II. 



Theory of the Animalculist. But the theory of 

 the ovarists is not without its difficulties ; for as the 

 embryo is never found to make its appearance till 

 after fecundation, it has been thought that it must 

 necessarily pre-exist in the pollen of the anther ; 

 from which it is conveyed to the ovary through the 



* Spal. Dissert, vol. iii. chap. i. Eng, Trans. 

 f Gcert. Jntrod, 



