GOETHE ON THE METAMORPHOSIS OF PLANTS. 837 
ym 41. We remarked that from the seed-leaves upwards a great: deve- 
iiie: takes place both in the size and form of the leaves, especially 
^in their margins, and that a subsequent diminution of their size occurs 
oan the calyx ; we have now to observe a second act of expansion; by 
which the corolla is produced. The flower-leaves (petals) are usually 
larger than the calyx-leaves (sepals), and it is to be remarked that as 
a contraction of the organs occurs in the calyx, so (having been in a 
high degree refined by means of a further filtrationof the fluids in passing 
"through the calyx) they again expand in the form of petals, aud assume 
“the appearance of entirely new and distinct organs. Their delicate or- 
` ganization, their colour, and their scent would make it impossible to 
` Recognize their origin, if we had not frequent opportunities of Tammy 
g nature when departing from her general rule. 
42. Thus, for instance, within the calyx (epicalyx) of a Pink a second 
calyx is often found, which, being partly green, was to all appearance 
originally designed for a monosepalous notched calyx, but its jagged 
ak and edges transformed into incipient and spreading petals, betray, 
by their colour and texture, the relationship that exists peeves 
a EM corolla and the calyx. 
- 43. The relationship of the corolla to the stem-leaves is also shown 
n different ways; for stem-leaves already more or less coloured may be 
“seen on many plants, far below the inflorescence, those nearest to it 
being coloured throughout.* 
44. Those instances also in which nature, as it were, altogether 
“omits. the calyx, afford additional opportunities of observing the 
transformation of the stem-leaves into petals. On the stalks of tulips, 
for te. a coloured petal, almost perfect in form, may often be 
seen, "The case is even more remarkable when a leaf, half green and 
Wr enda remains attached to the stem by the green part as more 
‘Properly belonging to it, whilst the coloured portion is carried up with 
the corolla, so that the leaf is literally torn asunder. $ 
` * The bright] f the species of Salvia, Bophorbia, 
ORG ed y coloured bracts in some o e spe 
$ Poinsettia, ete., afford good illustrations of the facts mentioned in this rp dem 
We have also seen several instances where the involuere of the garden Anemone 
assumed as inen a crimson — e the calyx itse 
T Where utside of the "bdo or pistils, that one is 
lled a caly farir ars perae oa ch Pf terti term * perianth’ is applied in some eases 
‘where i is ‘iat to digi t the al from the corolla. 
"a P Ary s, § 7. Instances of the substitution of melee leaves for re in 
à seen such in 
er, and other not uncommon 
Prius, Tias, de . See rimis are * Tératologie Végétale,’ pp. "208- : and 230. 
VOL. I, 
