Peat, Hay-Fever and Pharmacognosy

Abstract

THAT three subjects so diverse as peat, hay-fever and pharmacognosy should have a common meeting-ground of fundamental importance appears somewhat surprising. The common ground is found in the morphological study of pollen. Pollen grains were first studied in detail about 250 years ago by Nehemiah Grew. On plate 58 of his "Anatomy of Plants"he gives drawings of the pollen of eleven different plants. Grew referred to pollen as the "Particles of the Attire", the "Attire"being the andrcecium of the flower. He discusses the use of pollen, noting in Book 1 of his treatise that "it is for Ornament and Distinction to us and for Food to other Animals", while in Book 2 he refers to the uses previously discussed as being the "Secondary Uses"and proceeds to say "the Primary and chief Use of the Attire is such as has respect to the Plant itself"and "that the Attire doth serve, as the Male, for the generation of the Seed"1. It is clear, therefore, that Grew had a good understanding of the nature and functions of pollen.