[ 2 47 ] 
CHAP. XLV. 
Of the Farina of Flowers. 
H E Farina , or mealy Powder, found 
1 on the little pendant Tops of almoft 
every Flower, is feme what fo analogous to 
the Semen of Animals, that it deferves the 
flridtefl and mod attentive Examination, 
This Powder, whofe Colour is different in 
Flowers of different Kinds, was imagined, 
by former Ages, to he a mere excrement!-* 
tious and unneceffary Part of the Plant: but 
the Microfcope here alfo has made furprizing 
Difcoveries, by fhewing, that all the minute 
Grains of this Powder are regular, uniform, 
and beautiful little Bodies, conffantly of the 
fame Figure and Size in Plants of the fame 
Species, but in different Kinds of Plants as 
different as the Plants themfelves. 
It was impoffible to obferve this Order 
and Configuration of the Farinae, without 
concluding, that Providence, which never 
a£ts in vain, muff intend a nobler Ufe for 
Bodies fo regularly formed, than to be difli- 
pated by the Winds and loft. This Refledlion 
drew on farther Examination; and farther 
Examination, by the Help of the fame In- 
flrument, foon difeovered, that this Powder 
is produced and preferved with the utmoft 
Care, 
