FLORAL FORMS AND THEIR RELATIONS TO INSECTS 325 



On the other hand, there are physiologists of the first rank who hold 

 the theory of the German poet in light esteem, and to whom the pronounce- 

 ment that " every flower is simply a metamorphosed leaf-shoot " is a 

 dangerous expression, implying that the flower has been developed in 

 course of evolution from a leaf-shoot, for which, in their judgment, there 

 is not sufficient evidence. We are disposed to concur in this view, and 

 rather than yield allegiance too readily to Goethe's theory would say 



Photo &y] [E. Step. 



FIG. 395. LARGE-FLOWERED ST. JOHN'S WORT (Hypericum calycinum). 



Also known as Rose of Sharon. The large flowers offer good examples of spiral aestivation. The profuse stamens 

 form a number of little bundles. 



that there are flower-shoots and leaf-shoots, without attempting to derive 

 one from the other. 



Yet the tendency of the floral organs to relapse into the foliar form in 

 certain abnormally developed flowers, at least confirms the idea that floral 

 leaves and foliage leaves are homologous structures. 



Most of us, doubtless, have met with flowers of the kind referred to 

 " monstrous " flowers, as they are called. In Science Gossip (1890) there 

 is an interesting series of papers on the subject, by Dr. J. E. Taylor, with 

 drawings of some of the more remarkable monstrosities. In one place 

 we find an abnormal Knapweed (Gentaurea nigrci), of which some of the 

 florets have become leaf-like; in another, a Daisy (Bellis perennis} has 



