Of Vegetation. 357 



If I may be allowed to indulge conjecture 

 in a cafe in which the mod diligent inquirers 

 are as yet, after all their laudable refearches, 

 advanced but little farther than mere con- 

 jecture, I would propofe it to their confidera- 

 tion, whether from the manifeft proof we 

 have that fulphur ftrongly attracts air, a hint 

 may not be taken, to confider whether this 

 may not be the primary ufe of the Farina 

 fcecundans, to attract and unite with itfelf 

 elaftick or other refined active particles. That 

 this Farina abounds with fulphur, and that 

 a very refined fort, is probable, from the 

 fubtle oil which Chymifts obtain from Saf- 

 fron. And if this be the ufe of it, was it 

 poflible that it could be more aptly placed 

 for the purpofe, than on very moveable Apices 

 fixt on the flender points of the Stamina, 

 whereby it might eafily, wich the leaft breath 

 of wind, be difperfed in the air, thereby fur- 

 rounding the plant, as it were, with an Ac- 

 mofphere of fublimed fulphureous pounce ? 

 (for many trees and plants abound with it) 

 which uniting with the air-particles, they, 

 or a very fublimed fpirit from them, may, 

 perhaps, be infpired or imbibed at feveral 

 parts of the plant, and efpecially at the Pijiil- 

 lum, and be thence conveyed to the Capfula 



A a 3 Jem* 



