34- e H A p T E R 25. 
reafbns I have mentioned, in fpeaking of 
MoR land's opinion. 
In England^ about the fame time. Dr. 
Patrick BJ.AIR, by his Botanick ElTays,'* 
contributed greatly to extend the know- 
ledge, and confirm the truth of this fubjeft, 
Bradley, Fairchild, Miller, and 
others, affifted in the fame defign ^ and, 
fince that period, I believe it has met with 
few oppofers. One of the moft formidable 
was the late learned Dr. Aljton^ profelTor of 
botany at 'Edinburgh^ from whofe laboured 
difquifition, the adverfaries to this opinion 
of the Jex of flowers, may furnifh them- 
felves with the moft cogent arguments, that 
an intimate knowledge of the fubjed: hath 
enabled a very diligent and learned writer 
to produce. 
The more recent experiments made by 
the Abbe Spalanzani, with a diredt view 
to impugn this doftrine, do not appear to 
have been conducted with that degree of 
fkill, and accuracy, which is fufficient to 
outweigh the num^erous train that may 
be thrown into the oppofite fcale. Even 
Z fome 
