POLLEN OF FLOWERS. 
On examining the flowers of a species of Amaryllis with the assistance of a 
microscope, I observed that its grains of pollen, which are elliptical, on being im¬ 
mersed in water, quickly assumed a spherical shape. On watching them, whilst 
under the microscope, until the water in which they were immersed had evaporated, 
I distinctly saw them gradually assume their original elliptical form. The length 
of the grains of pollen being twice their breadth, their external membranous coat¬ 
ing must possess greater elasticity than could have been anticipated. I afterwards 
applied heat to the dry pollen as it remained on the object-glass of the microscope, 
till some of its grains contracted into irregular shapes. On being again immersed 
in water they still possessed elasticity, generally became spherical, but some 
bluntly elliptical. I then applied heat to them whilst immersed. This experiment 
indicated the existence of a single orifice in each grain, and also that they con¬ 
tained a portion of free air, the ratification and consequent escape of which occa¬ 
sioned a minute bubble to rise on each grain of pollen. 
These facts, in themselves, are unimportant, but I have reason to believe that 
you desire both to communicate and elicit information ; and such facts may induce 
attention to the subject by some of your readers who are better qualified, and 
have more leisure, than myself. It may not be amiss just to hint at the extent of 
this field of inquiry. Gleichen, Brongniart, and others, have been travellers 
herein ; and we are told that numerous minute spherical granules have been dis¬ 
covered within each grain of pollen. The Amaryllis pollen which I examined may 
be considered as large sized, in comparison with that of the generality of flowers; 
still I find that one hundred and eighty thousand of these, placed regularly in 
rows, would cover but a square inch. How inconceivably small must be the size 
of one individual of those minute granules, if they be numerous in such a 
grain of pollen as I have described! The imagination endeavours, in vain, to 
trace out the comparative dimension of its untangible materiality. I wish The 
Naturalist all possible success, and I shall most probably trouble you with 
other facts, as they happen to come under my observation in this world of 
wonders ; a world, by the bye, which most of us are satisfied to travel through 
blindfolded. 
B 
VOL. I. 
L 
