20 FORMATION OF SEEDS. 
dissection presented to me, neither exaggerating , nor adding of 
my own ; I might with perfect security depend, that all would 
agree at last ; all assimilate together, and form one grand pic- 
ture, astonishing as beautiful. 
This last discovery, from linking all the divisions, perfects 
the foundation ; and though, in some few parts, it may, at first, 
appear rather complicated, yet, in the general review, there is 
a beautiful simplicity, that makes all plain and easy to be 
understood. 
formation of The <ji scover y j h ave t0 announce, is the formation of seeds 
seeds m the J 3 
root. in the root ; for it is a certain truth, that, from the wheat to the 
cedar, from the moss to the largest forest tree, all plants form 
their seeds in the root only. When I say the seed, I mean 
only that essential drop which joins to the vital string, and 
forms the essence of the seed ; and afterwards composes the 
chief part of th e core alum. Almost thirteen years of the most 
intense application, devoted to the dissection of plants, must 
have given me some insight into their formation ; especially as 
1 have made it a rule never to terminate with a plant, till I have 
exposed every part (every different vessel) to examination, in 
the solar or double compound microscope. And yet one matter 
lias all that time puzzled me in such a manner, that but for the 
bace liei ” re S ular Station by which I have been led up to it, through 
plants. the herbaceous plants, I should, never probably , have been able 
to solve the mystery. The finding these balls in the alburnum 
vessels now and then, and their complete disappearance, as soon 
as I began generally to seek them, convinced me that it was a 
disorder or a criptogamia. But, when dissecting herbaceous 
roots, I found flowers as well as seeds in them j and that the 
pollen was not arranged in their cases, or even made into balls. 
Difficulty of till it arrived at the top of the plant. I then began to conjee- 
understanding ture, whether the seeds also might not be formed separate, and 
the alburnum. t ^ e ver y balls j h ac j so 0 ft en found in the alburnum, fixed on 
longitudinal vessels. But I was still resolved, not even to hint 
at the fact, till I had watched two or three seasons to ascertain 
it, and to prevent the possibility of mistake : this I have now 
done, and can announce the discovery with the most perfect 
conviction. The flow of the sap in the alburnum vessels, brings 
the seeds twice each year, at the barking time, from the root ; 
(for this is the season in which the new row of wood is formed,) 
and 
