BOOK XVII. 



PHYSIOLOGY AND COMPARATIVE ANATOMY 



VEGETABLE MORPHOLOGY. 



Morphology in Linnaeus. 



I HAVE stated that Linnseus had some views on this subject. Dr. 

 Hooker conceives these views to be more complete and correct 

 than is generally allowed, though unhappily clothed in metaphorical 

 language and mixed with speculative matter. By his permission I 

 insert some remarks which I have received from him. 



The fundamental passage on this subject is in the Systema Naturae; 

 in the Introduction to which work the following passage occurs : 



" Prolepsis (Anticipation) exhibits the mystery of the metamorpho- 

 sis of plants, by which the herb, which is the larva or imperfect con- 

 dition, is changed into the declared fructification : for the plant is 

 capable of producing either a leafy herb or a fructification 



" When a tree produces a flower, nature anticipates the produce of 

 five years where these come out all at once ; forming of the bud-leaves 

 of the next year bracts ; of those of the following year, the calyx ; 

 of the following, the corolla ; of the next, the stamina ; of the sub- 

 sequent, the pistils, filled with the granulated marrow of the seed, the 

 terminus of the life of a vegetable." 



Dr. Hooker says, " I derive my idea of his having a better know- 

 ledge of the subject than most Botanists admit, not only from the 

 Prolepsis, but from his paper called Reformatio JBotanices (Amcsn. 

 Acad. vol. vi.) ; a remarkable work, in respect of his candor in speak- 

 ing of his predecessors' labors, and the sagacity he shows in indicating 

 researches to be undertaken or completed. Amongst the latter is, Y. 

 ' Prolepsis plantarum, ulterius extendenda per earum metamorphoses.' 

 The last word occurs rarely in his Prolepsis ; but when it does it 

 seems to me that he uses it as indicating a normal change and not as 



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accidental one. 



