16 NATURAL STRUCTURE OF THE FLOWER, 



2. That there is no fructification without anthera, stigma, and 

 seed. 



3. That the anthem and stigma constitute a floiver, whether 

 the covers are present or wanting. 



4. That the seed constitutes a fruit, whether there be a peri- 

 carpium or not. 



In respect to the seed ; its essence consists in the corculum, 

 which is fastened to the cotyledon, and involved therein, and 

 closely covered with its proper tunic. \ 



The essence of the corculum consists in the plumula, which is 

 the vital speck of the plant itself, extremely small in its dimen- 

 sions, but increasing like a bud in growth. The rostellum, how- 

 ever, must be included, being the base of the plumula, which 

 descends, and strikes root, being the part originally contiguous 

 to the mother plant. 



That the propagines, or seeds of mosses, consist only of the 

 plumula and rostellum, has been already shown*. 



CHAP. X. 



OF THE MOST NATURAL STRUCTURE OF THE PARTS 

 OF FRUCTIFICATION. 



IN considering the structure of the parts of fructification, the 

 principal objections to be attended to are, 1. The number of each 

 part. 2. Its figure. 3. Its proportion ; by which is to be under- 

 stood its height in respect to the rest: and 4. Its situation ; 

 which will include also its insertion and connexions. As to 

 any other differences, such as a difference in the size, co- 

 lour, smell, or taste, it is not safe to allow any weight to them, 



* See Chap, VII. 



