REJUVENESCENCE IN NATURE. 103 



but present themselves in a series of modifications, the 

 theory of metamorphosis is necessary to the completion 

 of the doctrine of anaphytosis, since its object is to 

 demonstrate the laws ruling over the various modes of 

 appearance of essentially similar parts, the definite course 

 of transformation of the anaphyta progressing through a 

 series of stages. As the animal combines a metamor- 

 phosis with its internal process of Rejuvenescence, so 

 does the plant also with its external, only the metamor- 

 phosis of the plant, in correspondence with the peculiarity 

 of its anaphytosis, does not present itself as an internal 

 recasting of the organism, as in the animal, but as an 

 externally projected, many-stepped process of develop- 

 ment. A doctrine of anaphytosis without recognition of 

 metamorphosis, robs the plant of its inmost principle of 

 life, — the principle of development, the graduated reve- 

 lation of the internal foundation of its existence ; it 

 denies progress and aim in the processes of vegetable 

 construction, and is compelled to ascribe the difference of 

 the links of the Rejuvenescence to the accident of external 

 influences, while this is rather the expression of the 

 gradual triumph of the specific inward essence over 

 external nature. 



If it be true that the plant runs through its metamor- 

 phoses in a process of Rejuvenescence characterised by a 

 series of stages and links ; that, to use Schultz's expres- 

 sion, it possesses a phytodom, progressing by anaphytoses, 

 our first object must be to define the links of the Reju- 

 venescence accurately. But this fundamental condition 

 of a correct theoi'y of Rejuvenescence, is exactly that in 

 which Schultz's exposition is deficient. The "anaphyton," 

 or simple link of Rejuvenescence, by the continued repe- 

 tition and manifold combination of which the whole 

 structure of vegetables is explained, is indeed theoretically 

 characterised as a totality fitted out with all essential vital 

 apparatus, and as an independent vegetable individual ; 

 in what, however, we really discover how the anaphyta 

 proceed one out of the other, and how they combine, is 



