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reproductive germ, without the influence of the pollen, 

 or dust on the anthers. 



This mysterious impression is necessary to the 

 continued succession of the different vegetable tribes. 

 It is a feature which extends the resemblances of the 

 different orders of beings, and establishes, on a great 

 scale, the beautiful analogy of nature. 



The ancients had observed, that different date 

 trees bore different flowers, and that those trees pro- 

 ducing flowers which contained pistils bore no fruit, 

 unless in the immediate vicinity of such trees as pro- 

 duced flowers containing stamens. This long esta- 

 blished fact strongly impressed the mind of Malpighi, 

 who ascertained several analogous facts with regard to 

 other vegetables. Grew, however, was the first per- 

 son who attempted to generalize upon them, and 

 much just reasoning on the subject may be found in 

 his works. Linnaeus gave a scientific and distinct 

 form to that which Grew had only generally observ- 

 ed, and has the glory of establishing what has been 

 called the sexual system, upon the basis of minute ob- 

 servations and accurate experiments. 



The seed 9 the last production of vigorous vegeta- 

 tion, is wonderfully diversified in form. Being of the 

 highest importance to the resources of nature, it is 

 defended above all other parts of the plant ; by soft 

 pulpy substances, as in the esculent fruits, by thick 

 membranes, as in the leguminous vegetables, and by 

 hard shells, or a thick epidermis, as in the palms and 

 grasses. 



