SECT. I. EXTERNAL CHANGES* 3?1 



give a satisfactory reply. But from the narrow 

 limits within which this intercourse is in all cases 

 circumscribed, it scarcely seems to have been the 

 intention of nature that it should succeed even 

 among animals. 



CHAPTER VIII. 



OF THE CHANGES CONSEQUENT UPON IMPREGNATION. 



WHATEVER may be thought of the different 

 opinons of the ovarist, animalculist, and epigenesist, 

 and whichsoever of them may be adopted by the 

 phytological inquirer, it is at all events an object of 

 the first importance to trace out the peculiar changes 

 consequent upon impregnation, as effected, whether 

 in the flowers or fruit. 



SECTION I. 



External Changes, 



AT the period of the impregnation of the ovary t)ecay of 

 the flower has attained to its ultimate stage of per- 

 fection, and displayed its utmost beauty of colouring 

 and richness of perfume. But as it is now no 

 longer wanted, so it is no longer provided for in the 

 economy of vegetation. Its period of decline has 



