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Read March 4, 1800.
In the Spring of 1795, having much leisure, I devoted a portion of it to the examination of various minute productions of Nature in a good compound microscope. These researches would probably have terminated in present information and amusement only, but that they were accidentally turned to the pollen of flowers, respecting which, as a botanist, I found an inclination to inform myself, by comparing the several species together.
I began my observations with the Hazel-tree, Corylus Avellana. On a calm dry day I shook off some of the pollen from the expanded catkins upon a clean piece of writing-paper. I also gathered some of the catkins and female buds. These I viewed separately on a clear plate of glass, usually transmitting the light through them from a speculum below, and with different magnifying powers, preferring those which, without enormously enlarging the objects, gave a clear view of the structure and position of several at once. As I pursued this method with the rest I examined, I mention this to save repetition, and shall give the appearances from notes made at the time.
I. Corylus Avellana. Anthers furnished with transparent hornlike appendages. Pollen crumbles from the surface, and is sometimes so abundant as to fall in a visible cloud on the slightest motion
