362 IMPREGNATION OF THE SEED. CHAP. VII. 



As origi- medium of the style, and afterwards matured. This 

 the^pecu- theory was founded upon that of Leuwenhoeck, 

 Leuwen f w ^ rc S ar ^ to annua ^ generation ; which supposes 

 hoeck, the pre-existence of animalcula in the seminal prin- 

 ciple of the male ; the animalcula being conveyed 

 in coitu to the ovary of the female where alone 

 they are capable of developement.* Hence it has 

 And been denominated the theory of the animalculists, 

 b/Jvior- an d transferred to the case of vegetables by Mor- 

 land. jand, Needham, Gleichen, and others, who regard 

 the pollen as being a congeries of seminal plants, 

 one of which at least must be conveyed to the 

 ovary entire before it can become prolific. 



But if the embryo pre-exists in the pollen may 

 it not be detected by inspection before impregnation 

 takes place ? Spallanzani examined the pollen in 

 its ripe and perfect state, with great care, and 

 under glasses of the highest magnifying powers, 

 but could distinguish nothing exhibiting the ap- 

 pearance of an embryo. It may be said, however, 

 that the embryo must still be supposed to pre-exist 

 in the pollen, though not visible, as Spallanzani has 

 said of its pre-existence in the ovary ; and that its 

 invisibility is no proof of its non-existence. The 

 animalculists have no doubt a right to offer this 

 reply ; but as the embryo is not visible whether in 

 the ovary or pollen, till after fecundation has taken 

 place, no conclusion can be drawn on either side 

 from the circumstance of its invisibility. 

 * Phil. Trans. No. 145, p. 74. 



