LEGUMINIFER^. 57 



sepals all exhibit the same tendency, the pedicels of the flowers at the same time 

 elongating. We have seen many specimens where the whole head of flowers on a stalk 

 of Clover has undergone this transformation, presenting the most singular appearance 

 possible, with the green leaves looking as if quite out of their accustomed place, and 

 consequently very odd and uncomfortable. In jiassiug through a field of Clover, it is worth 

 while to look for such monstrosities ; and they are by no means uncommon. We may 

 mention some interesting observations and drawings made by IMrs. Godwin Austen on 

 this subject, fir.st exhibited at the meeting of the British As.«ociation in 1849, and 

 afterwards published in Henfrey's "Botanical Gazette" for March, 1850. It was a 

 happy idea of the great German poet-botanist Goethe to reduce the previously received 

 and complicated theory of jjlant-structure to the simple formula of leaf-formation. In 

 this way everything presented itself to him under a difierent asjiect ; what had been 

 considered essential became accidental, and vice versd. In all the higher plants, foliage, 

 flowers, and fruit were formerly regarded as essentially different parts. It was Goethe 

 who first recognized in the flower and fruit the recurrence of the foliage, so that there 

 is no essential difference between these three parts of a plant. In studying this subject 

 somewhat carefully, it becomes evident that it is the leaf which in its Protean capability 

 of tiansformation gradually assumes the form of fruit or flower. These are truly leaves — 

 whorls of leaves differing in character and position from other leaves, although not in their 

 essential nature. This great doctrine of unity of plan in creation was first demonstrated 

 and successfully taught in relation to the vegetable kingdom, and has since been clearly 

 worked out and adopted by the ablest comparative anatomists of this and other coun- 

 tries as applied to higher organisms, and even to man himself. The susceptibility of 

 the little Trifolium to the withdrawal of light, and its habit of closing its leaves 

 somewhat on the approach of night, remind us of its family relationship to the group 

 of sensitive plants. The observation of the older botanists led them to record this 

 curious fact ; and Gerarde tells us that " Pliny writeth and setteth it down for certaine 

 that the leaves hereof do tremble and stand right up against the coming of a storme or 

 tempest." 



W^hile examining the tissue of the stems of this plant under the microscope, the 

 abundance of spiral fibre suggested the thought that this very elastic and delicate 

 material might possibly have something to do with the hitherto unexplained cause of 

 the curious movements of the sensitive plants. 



Microscopic research in skilful hands will do much to clear up these unsolved 

 questions. 



Section IV.— FRAGIFERA. Koch. 



Heads of flowers all axillary, stalked or sessile, sub-globose. 

 Flowers numerous, sub-sessile ; pedicels with bracts at the base. 

 Calyx more or less distinctly 2-lipped, the upper portion enlarging 

 and becoming vesicular or inflated, membranous and reticulated 

 in fruit, without a callous or hairy ring at the throat ; teeth equal, 

 the uppermost pair at length exceeding the others. Corolla mar- 

 cescent, purple, rose, or white ; standard shrivelling, not striated, 

 sometimes deciduous. Pod sessile within the calyx, included, 1- or 

 2-seeded. 



