458 VEGETABLE IMPREGNATION. NoTE XXXVI,

colour, gelatinous, and fixed by its two oppoſite ends to the ſides of the cavity.

In a month the ſeed was much enlarged and its ſhape changed from a heart to a kidney, the litdle body con- tained in the cavity was increaſed in bulk and was leſs tranſparent, and gelatinous, but there yet appeared no organization.

On the 4oth day the cavity now grown larger was quite filled with the body, which was covered with a thin membrane; after tiis membrane was removed the body appeared of a bright green, and was eaſily divided by the point of a needle into two portions, which manifeſtly formed the two lobes, and within theſe attached to the lower part the exceedingly ſmall plantule was eaſily per- ceived.

The foregoing obſervations evince, 1. That the ſeeds exiſt in the ovarium many days before fecundation. 2. That they remain for ſome time ſolid, and then a cavity containing a liquid is formed in them. 3. That after fe- cundation a body begins to appear within the cavity fixed by two points to the ſides, which in proceſs of time proves to be two lobes containing a plantule. 4. That the ripe ſeed conſiſts of two lobes adhering to a plantule, and ſür- rounded by a thin membrane which 1s itſelf covered with a huſk or cuticle. Spallanzani's Diſſertations, Vol. II. 0268|

The analogy between ſeeds and eggs has long been obſerved, and is confirmed by the mode of their produc- ion, The esg is known to be formed within the hen long before its impregnation; C. F. Wolf aſlerts that the

py

=<

BR age»

yon!

ok( mm bul Impe duced js? ſeund ſom!