248 VEGETABLE ORGANOGRAPHY. 



probability; and we may object to all of them, because 

 the greatest number of Lichens are devoid of the organs 

 to which so important a function was attributed, and 

 consequently it is more probable that these efflorescences, 

 or warts, peculiar to certain species, are connected with 

 more general uses. Cassini has shown that the globules 

 collected at the extremities of the leaf of Physcia tenella 

 are capable of reproducing a new individual, and it is 

 likely that we ought to consider them as bulbs, and that 

 the globules analogous to these in other species are of 

 the same nature. 



Those who, knowing the truth of these observations, 

 persist to admit fecundation in Lichens, have been com- 

 pelled to suppose, either that the pollen was produced 

 by the margin of the shields, which is usually rolled in- 

 wards at the period of the first development of these 

 organs, which must be supposed to be that of the 

 flowering, or that the fecundating matter is contained in 

 the cavities with the ovules. It is evident that nothing 

 can show either the truth or falsity of these opinions, 

 founded, not upon observation, but upon the theory of 

 analogy ; if they be true, the supposed reproductive 

 corpuscules of Lichens are real seeds. 



Others, not willing to admit this, which it is possible to 

 see, and denying, perhaps imprudently, the existence of 

 that which does not fall under our senses, have unhesi- 

 tatingly decided that Lichens are devoid of male organs, 

 and of fecundation ; consequently some have called them 

 Agamae, others Anandrae, some Inembryones, and others 

 Acotyledons ; but all have been evidently guided by 

 an hypothesis — the non-existence of fecundation. If 

 this opinion be true, the reproductive corpuscules are 

 bulbs. 



As I do not know any reason for admitting or reject- 

 ing either of the two theories which I have mentioned, 



