The Micrographical Dictionary—Pollen Grains

Abstract

IT is a pity that Mr. W. G. Smith (NATURE, vol. xi. p. 286) did not take the trouble to satisfy himself of the truth of Dr. Hugo Mohl's statement, that the pollen of Mimulus moschatus and Mimulus luteus takes several forms, before writing his letter. I may inform him that the figure—in the “One Thousand Objects”—to which he alludes was not copied from the “Micrographical Dictionary,” as he states. Had Mr. Smith first taken the pains to read what so excellent an authority as Dr. Hugo Mohl has written on pollen, and seen his figures, perhaps his remarks would have taken a different form. He may have observed but one form or one aspect of the pollen grains of Mimulus differing from the figures criticised, yet botanists will hesitate to accept his interpretation in opposition to so excellent a physiologist as Dr. H. Mohl, on the faith of his ad captandum observations.