O ¥ N A T U R A L H I S T O R Y. 247 



every clrcumftance is reverfed. In moft hermaphrodite plants, (I 

 muft fpeak in the language of the fyftem), the feeds are not only 

 not in a gelatinous ftate, but have acquired confiderable bulk and 

 folidiiy, long before the pollen, or fuppofed fecundating duft, is 

 thrown out of its capfules. 



The fame remark is applicable to dioicous plants, or fuch as are 

 barren and feed-bearing in different individuals. What conclufion 

 is here to be drawn ? Analogy fails ; and fafls contradid the ana- 

 logy. The pollen of moft plants fheds after the feeds of their- re- 

 fpedtive fpecies are far advanced in flze and confiftence. If this 

 pollen had the power of fecundating, it could feldom Impregnate 

 plants of its own fpecies ; becaufe, when it is difcharged, the feeds 

 are paft the proper feafon; but, by flying promifcuoufly abroad, this 

 pollen might impregnate different fpecies which happened then to 

 be in a fit condition for the reception of male influence. Confider 

 the confequences of fuch an arrangement. Is not this to make Na- 

 ture operate againft her own intentions ? Nature intends that plants 

 ffiould multiply and perpetuate their kinds ; but the fexual hypo- 

 thefis makes her take the moft effedual meafures to prevent that In- 

 tention, and to introduce univerfal anarchy among the vegetable 

 tribes. Were this theory true, the whole vegetable kingdom, in a 

 few years, would be utterly confounded : Inftead of a regular fnc- 

 ceflTion of marked fpecies, the earth would be covered with raon- 

 ftrous produftions, which no botanift could either recognife or un- 

 ravel. 



The propagation of plants by fuckers, flips, and cuttings, is a. 

 curious fa£l in the hiftory of vegetation. The ftrawberry is com-, 

 monly raifed by flips taken from the old root, or by fuckers fent off 

 from the plant. In either of thefe methods, the plants flourlfh, 

 and produce fruit. Many bulbous and eye- rooted plants, and moft 



ftirubs 



