336 GOETHE ON THE METAMORPHOSIS OF PLANTS. 
superfluous degree of nourishment, they would have remained — 
from each other, and would still have retained their original form 
Nature, therefore, forms no new organ in the'/calyx, but simply unites 
and modifies those organs with which we are already sene and 
advances by this means a step nearer her object.* 
V. On the Formation of the Corolla. 
39. We have seen how the calyx is produced by highly-elaborated 
fluids, gradually generated in the plant; and in the same way the 
calyx itself is destined to become the organ of a future and further 
degree of elaboration. This will appear easy of belief if we take into 
- consideration the purely mechanical nature of its operation. . The state 
of eontraction and compression in which its vessels are now found, as 
shown above, renders them of an extremely delicate nature, and thus 
well adapts them for the process of a most elaborate filtration. 
- 40. The trausition of the calyx into the corolla is exhibited in va- 
rious ways; for although the general colour of the calyx usually re- 
mains green, like that of the stem-leaves, it often shows a change in 
one part or another, at the tips, the edges, or at the back, or over the 
whole of the inner surface, while the outer surface remains green; and 
whenever this change of colour occurs, we see it combined with an in- 
creased refinement of texture. In this manner an ambiguous kind. of 
calyx is produced, which might with equal propriety be called a eo- 
rolla (perianth of Linnzeus).+ 
* Wolff, Nov. Comm. Acad. Petrop. pp. 403, 1766, 1767; Linn. —" 
The resemblance of sepals to leaves is well shown in Agrostemma Githago, sime , 
kinds of Rose, of Prony, of Gentian, of L prin tq oto etc., while iu the C 
a, and a great number of other plants; the — pons: os ogee = ba 2 vertici 
late manner, bat are disposed in a spirally imbricated ar ent, as 
EUR des deu leaves. On the other ur the ge van pieds of or all d tl 
iae show the similarity between such an arrangemen 
x. Floral leaves 
i 
ig 
ER 
LM 
SEE 
RA 
Fe EE e. E 
E 
E, 
E 
B 
= 
IRIGI 
s, as in Calycanthus, , Ber US, 
line can Sam between sepala and pen In Peganum and Crue 
en provided with stipules. Few plants show the gradual 
+ Linn. Prolepsis, § 8. The sepals of the white Water Lily, Dymphaa alba 
ste olive-green colour on the outside, and of a white or pinkish hue on the inner “1 
The tips of the sepals in the a he dia fetidus are of a p p colour, #0 
tomis, Calunbine i "de. a in the a Snow. i in 
it of the same thing. — — 
