404 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 
fatally. Although learned in almost every department of his 
science, his forte, like that of Agassiz, was morphology, and 
his systematic work mainly among the higher and some of the 
’ lower Cryptogamia, Marsilia, Isoetes, Chara, ete. Although his 
communications to the scientific journals began as early as 
the year 1822, when he was only seventeen years old, his 
first contribution to science, of much extent and of high and 
permanent value, was his memoir on the arrangement of the 
scales of Pine-cones, ete., published in 1830. With this pub- 
lication began the present knowledge of phyllotaxis. It is 
well understood that the first steps were taken by his fellow- 
student Carl Schimper, and that the early investigations were 
pursued in common by the two. But Schimper published 
nothing, or next to nothing, either then or since, although he 
lived until the year 1867. His name in connection with the 
subject is preserved by the favorable mention of his compan- 
ions and contemporaries ; but Braun’s treatise was timely and 
fruitful, and became classical. Braun’s ability for the philo- 
sophical treatment of vegetable morphology and development 
was manifested in his next large paper, namely, in his me- 
moir entitled “ Rejuvenescence in Nature,” especially in the 
life and development of plants. This was first published at 
Freiburg in 1849-50, and again at Leipsie in 1851, and an 
English translation of it was published by the Ray Society in 
1853. Of a similar character, and marked with equal acute- 
ness, is his essay on ‘‘ The Vegetable Individual in its relation 
to Species,” ete., published in 1853, at Berlin, and which, in a 
translation by a pupil of mine, was mainly reproduced in this 
Journal (May and September, 1855). He reaches the con- 
clusion — which would now be more confidently expressed — 
“that the individual appears in its full import only in the 
higher steps of the series of created beings.” 
In his systematical work, Braun was exceedingly laborious, 
persevering, and conscientious. When we add that through- 
out the riper and what should have been the most productive 
years of his life, he was overtasked with official duties and 
cares, we Shall not wonder that much which he hoped to ac- 
complish is left undone. His work upon Marsilia, Pilularia, 
