108 THK PHENOMENON OF 



A more detailed examination of the stem from these 

 four points of view, would lead us too far from our subject ; 

 but it may be permitted to discuss somewhat more closely 

 the first point, the import of the stem in reference to 

 a theory of metamorphosis assuming a vital continuity 

 and not an atomic composition of the stages. We have 

 above characterised the leaves as those parts, in the re- 

 peated formation of which is especially expressed the 

 Self-rejuvenescence in vegetable hfe, and through the 

 successive emergence of which the metamorphosis acquires 

 its graduated structure. That this graduated structure 

 requires a connecting organ, different from the leaves, 

 and not formed from them, an organ which is not lost 

 in the individual stages, but rather carries up the process 

 of development beyond the one-sided development of the 

 stage, — this it is which we would here briefly put forth, so 

 that we may acquire a basis, out of and upon which the 

 undulation of the metamorphosis flows. A general 

 characterisation of the fundamental organs, distinguished 

 by essential differences in the direction of development, 

 such as the general contemplation of vegetable structure 

 and vegetable life in its relations to external nature 

 impresses them upon us, may hence not be misplaced here 

 as a preliminary settlement of our position {Orientirung) . 

 The difficulty of comprising the phenomena in such a 

 general view will serve as an excuse for the imperfection 

 of its execution. 



it is called, has been often questioned and disputed, I have satisfied myself 

 beyond the possibility of doubt of the excentrical origin of the leaves around 

 a central apex of the stem. The often ell-long creeping subterraneous 

 stolons of Striithiopteris germanica are clothed with scale-like cataphyllary 

 leaves, which on the points of the runners coming up above ground, pass 

 gradually into the ordinary euphyllary leaves of the erect stem. They are 

 arranged according to the | type, about an inch distant from each other, 

 1 inch long, but decurrent for a length of about 2 inches ; the unde- 

 veloped leaves situated on the nascent points are closely crowded. Taking 

 away all the leaves already more than 1 line long, there remain still about 

 8 rudiments, the outermost of which are about |, 3, J of a line high, the rest 

 scarcely measurable. The four innermost appear as slightly-vaulted papillae, 

 gradually diminishing in size around a central papilla, which is the largest, 

 and therefore cannot possibly be mistaken for one of them. 



