( w ) 
feeds, which, though extremely minute, ap- 
pear perfect. The fmallnefs of the feed is 
certainly no argument againft it's power of 
vegetating. Some of the ferns, the feeds of 
which are much fmaller, are well known to be 
propagated from feed, and to come up fponta- 
neoufly in hot-houfes, where the original 
plant has fcattered it's feed ; and probably by 
minute attention the feedlings of orchis may 
be difcovered. However, I am of opinion, that 
the orchifes are propagated from feed, as many 
young plants of them are frequently found 
together, and it is well known that they 
never increafe plentifully by the root ; but 
in this, and all other parts of natural hiftory, 
we can only hope for fatisfaclion from accu- 
rate and repeated obfervation. The art of 
making experiments is, however, pofTefied by 
few, and requires much patience, added to an 
accurate and impartial judgment. If we 
watch a bed of orchifes, in the hope of find- 
ing feedlings on it, we lliall eagerly catch 
at every circumftance that can favour this 
hope. It is the bufmefs of an experiment 
maker to be always looking for circumftances 
which make againft his theory, and not for 
it and to ftate as ftrongly what he remarks 
L 4 unfavour- 
