of Vegetable Embryology. 237 



ruination in the embryo ; in which case, according to the 

 general laws of vegetation, the embryo should be continuous, 

 at its organic base, with the organic base of the ovule ; and 

 consequently the radicle should be turned towards the cha- 

 laza, that is to say, next the point where the ovular leaves 

 (membranes) are connected; for in this way only can an 

 organic continuity be established between the female parent 

 plant and the embryo. But if the normal position of the 

 embryo, with regard to the axis of the ovule, be considered, 

 it will appear that in all these respects an opposite arrange- 

 ment is presented ; so that the organic base of the embryo 

 (the radicle) is diametrically opposite to the organic base of 

 the ovule (the chalaza), and is directed towards the micropyle. 

 From this it is evident that the embryo cannot be considered 

 as the product of metamorphosis within the ovule ; that it 

 has not taken its origin in the interior of that organ, but has 

 been introduced into it from without, that it may attain a 

 degree of development fitting it hereafter to live as an inde- 

 pendent axis. 



If this view be admitted, the doctrines of Schleiden will 

 receive a confirmation, which must entitle them to more con- 

 sideration than they would otherwise have merited, with the 

 statements of Mirbel and Spach weighing so heavily against 

 them ; for the position which we have here maintained, on 

 morphological grounds, is not liable to have its foundations 

 shaken by those objections which may be raised against the 

 observations both of Schleiden and of his opponents, from 

 the well-known inaccuracies and deceptions which are attend- 

 ant on microscopical investigations, however carefully con- 

 ducted. 



While then the accurate statements of Mirbel and Spach 

 would appear to prove undoubtedly that the impregnation 

 of the ovule is not required for the primary engendering 

 of the first traces of the embryo, (which, if proved, would 

 completely falsify the views of Schleiden and of Dr. Car- 

 penter,) the morphological condition of that structure com- 

 pels us to admit the high degree of probability which may 

 be attached to the idea — that the embryo is a body origin- 



