RAY AND WILLUGHBY 125 



care, and Cuvier thought that it might be worth reprint- 

 ing separately. But historical inquiry has now cut 

 deeper channels, and the only passages which the reader 

 of the History of Plants finds valuable are those in 

 which Ray states his own opinions on questions which 

 were then occupying the attention of botanists for the 

 first time. 



Sexuality of plants 



In 1686 Ray was not fully persuaded of the sexuality 

 of plants.^ He says of the stamens that their use is 

 doubtful; some thought them merely ornamental ; others 

 (Malpighi) that they eliminated matter detrimental to 

 the seed ; Grew, however, had maintained that they 

 efi"ect the fertilisation of the seeds. Ray supports Grew, 

 pointing out that some animals, e.g. fishes, are herma- 

 phrodite, and fertilise their eggs without congress, thus 

 furnishing an analogy with the majority of flowering 

 plants. Some plants too are clearly sexual (date-palm, 

 willows, nettle, &c.). Though he inclines to Grew's 

 opinion, Ray does not consider it proved as yet : — "nos 

 ut verisimilem tantum admittimus." In his Synopsis 

 Stirpium (1690) and his Sylloge (1694) he shows him- 

 self fully convinced that the stamens are really male 

 organs. 



Definition of a species 



Ray considers the coming-up true from seed ("distincta 

 propagatio ex semine") to be the mark of a distinct 

 species, which would make true species of many plants 

 which are known to have been produced in our gardens. 

 Elsewhere he unwillingly admits that degeneration or 

 transformation of species occurs, if the testimony of 

 persons believed to be worthy of credit is to be 

 received.^ 



iVol. I, p. 17. 'Lib. I, Ch. XX, XXI. 



