868 GOETHE ON THE METAMORPHOSIS OF PLANTS. 
flowers. ~All that is requisite is to be able to work out the aforenamed 
ideas of expansion and contraction, approximation and anastomosis, as 
easily as we work out ryles of algebra, and to know how to apply them 
in their proper places.* And, as much depends upon the exact ob- 
servation and comparison of the different gradations through which 
nature passes, both in the formation of genera, species, and varieties, 
and in the growth of individual plants,—a series of illustrations exhibit- 
ing these gradations, with explanations expressed in botanical termi- 
nology, would be both welcome and useful. We will now adduce two 
instances of proliferous flowers, having an important bearing upon this 
cda j XV. 4 Proliferous Rose. 
..403. All that we have been endeavouring to grasp by the aid of 
thought and reason is shown in the clearest manner in the instance of 
a proliferous Rose. The calyx and corolla are developed and arranged 
round the axis, but instead of the contracted receptacle with its stamens 
and styles in the centre, the stem, variegated with green and red, again 
aseends; and on it are successively developed, unexpanded, dark-red. 
petals of a smaller size, on some of. which are visible traces of anthers: 
The stem. goes on growing, prickles appear on it, the alternate pe- 
tals continue to. diminish in size, and change at last into stem-leaves, 
also variegated with red and green ; a series of regular nodes is formed, 
and from their buds small imperfect rose-buds burst forth. fe avis 
104. This same example also affords us a visible proof that, as-has- 
been before explained, the outer border of the calyx may. be considered 
as a number of approximated leaves (folia floralia, bractee) ; for the 
calyx here consists of five perfect, compound leaves, of three or five 
* “ Every plant has oper vital lines’ for these vibrations of the metamor- 
phosis, the constructive representations of which lines will make clearly conceivable 
characters which botanists have only. seized in- ntary manner, or 
ur felt, obscurely as something indescribable iu the habit." (Braun, ' Rejuvenescence,' 
enfrey’s translation, p. 83.) No plant is more suggestive, or more worthy the at- - 
with so care and. 
acumen. by Dr. Hooker in the paper above referred to. won AE 
+ Goethe’s obscure and unscientific phraseology has constituted one of the main’ 
difficulties the translator has had to. encounter. in rendering the essay 
and moreover it may have afforded a reason for. the little inclination scientific men 
had at first P pier Goethe’s opinions... kae dam Lago À 
Soc. vol. xxiii. pp. 359—481, c. icon. "iln din "o ; gages ua et 
