5 
312 The Botanical Gazette. [August, 
Another observation of his is quite modern in its view: 
‘‘There is likewise farther to be observed in the maize, that 
on the same day when the apices burst and hang loosely wav- 
ing in the air, the skein or bundle of styles appear from under 
the husk or sheath that covers the ear, and are in like manner 
exposed. This circumstance should put us upon observing i 
what happens in this respect to other plants.” 
It is certainly to be regretted that Governor Logan did not 
observe what happens in other plants, but gave his time and 
attention to state affairs, for much that Sprengel afterwards made 
known might have been unraveled by him. His experiments 
might pass for those of the present age, but unfortunately hedid 
not confine himself to recording facts pure and simple, but 
the latter part of his paper wandered off into disquisitions 00 
the nature philosophy of his day. The following explanation — 
of Logan’s to account for the sexual process smacks of medieval 
scholasticism. 2 
He states boldly, that his observations are in support of the 
doctrine of sexes in plants, and that ‘‘there is room to aa 
be readily adopted by posterity.” ‘‘The farinais coma Le 
to the air, that it may receive out of the air, the little seed of 
plant, pre-existent and completely formed, tho’ in stamina 
inconceivably minute and invisible; and thus becomes pres” 
nant thereby.” ‘‘It is drawn by an inherent at , 
first into the style, and through that it slides by proper cap 
to the ova, and from this farina, nourished by the 
the plant for the purposes above described, the bu 
seed is formed. Lastly the little plant hid in the seed 
clothed with a terrestrial matter, which it borrows from | ‘¢ 
farina, exerts itself, and, increasing by proper 
which it draws from the earth, at length springs UP. Pere 
One is reminded of the theory of evolution of Ca a 
rault and of his ‘‘aura coclestis” of the opinions of oar 
and Varro. Logan, although he had worked at the mattel © 
perimentally was unable altogether to t ; 
of oR wade So much og man influenced by the age?” 
time in which he lives. Nevertheless, Governor i 
| : ee: future discuss” 
serves more than a passing mention in any u 
of the sexual theory of plants. : 
University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia. 
