Page:Transactions of the Linnean Society of London, Volume 6 (1802).djvu/95

 Rh saturated with moisture, (or has lost, by keeping, a part of its irritability?) but it does not enter the dry grains fo readily as water alone.

I have since subjected pollen to examination in several of the most stimulant oily and saline liquids, but have not been able to perceive that any of them had a similar effect on it.

It is proper here to remark that the utmost care is requisite to prevent accidental mixtures of the subjects or menstrua in these experiments, which might greatly embarrass and mislead the observer. Separate pieces of clear glass for the several kinds, and separate pointed glass tubes to convey the liquids, will therefore be requisite. It will be proper attentively to examine the pollen dry, as well as the liquids, before they are used, in order to be satisfied of the absence of animalcules and other extraneous matters which might be suspected to influence the appearances.

I do not pretend to say that the above-related experiments were absolutely free from optical deception; but I may venture to affirm, from frequent repetition of them, that, when tried with due precaution, they will scarcely ever be found to fail of producing the appearances related.

Engagements of superior importance at present prevent, and may long continue to prevent, my putting these inquiries much further. It is for this reason, and because I should take a pleasure in seeing it done by some person more capable of executing them with due exactness, and drawing proper inferences from them, that I am willing to make them known in their present imperfect state. For the assistance of those who may incline to prosecute the subject, I shall now state the amount of the present discovery, and the hints for further investigation which have occurred to me.

Should it be found, on repeating and extending these tions,