338 GOETHE ON THE METAMORPHOSIS OF PLANTS. 
45. There is great probability in the opinion that the colour’ and 
scent of the petals is to be ascribed to the presence of pollen within 
them; it probably exists in them in an imperfectly disengaged state, or 
rather combined with and diluted by other fluids. The very beauty. of 
the colours induces the idea that the substance contained in the petals, 
though in an extremely purified condition, has not yet attained the 
very highest degree of purity, at which stage it appears white and colour- 
less.* T. 
VI. On the Formation of the Stamens. 
46. The opinion alluded to in the last paragraph will appear still 
more probable, when we consider the close connection which exists. be- 
tween the petals and the stamens. If the connection between all the 
other organs were as obvious, as universally noticed, and consider 
indubitable, the present essay might be thought superfluous. 
7. Some plants normally produce their petals in a transitional 
state ; as (anna, and other plants of the same family. In this instance 
a true petal, but slightly changed, is contracted at the upper part, gnd 
exhibits an anther, in relation to which the rest of the petal stands in 
the place of the filament. 701 
48. In those flowers whose habit it is to become double, we may 
trace this transition through all its different stages. In Roses, among 
perfect. coloured petals, others may often be seen which are contracted 
both in the middle and at the side, This is occasioned. by a Jitll 
rotuberance more or less resembling a perfect anther, and in the same 
proportion the whole petal assumes the form of a stamen. In the case 
_ of many double Poppies, some of the petals of the very double corolla 
* In accidental cases, where the petals assume more or less the appearance of sta- 
mens, or vice versd, the pollen may be said to be in the petal; and in the common 
istletoe the inner surface of the flower has nume pressions in whi 
the colour and 
in some cases to their odour, but for the most part we are ignorant of 
the exquisite perfume of some plants, ai hesale 
+ The flowers of Canna have three sepals, an irregular corolla in five oF P7 
AER MEI a RT QUE Ee. e et RAR EMSS oon EE, Bt hes ep NER EI 
