An Interpretation of GoETHE’s Blatt in his “ Metamorphose 
der Pflanzen’, as an Explanation of the Principle 
of Natural Classification* 
By 
Bunzo Hayara 
Since my return from Tonkin (Indo-China), in August 1917, I have been 
reflecting on the principle of natural classification to which my attention was 
drawn during the score of years that I devoted to the study of the flora of 
Formosa. Current opinion demands that natural classification be based on 
the evolution theory, and consequently that the classification of plants should 
be in accordance with the phylogenetic tree. Much against my will, I have 
come to entertain strong doubts as to the correctness of this principle, so 
generally accepted by modern systematizers ; for my twenty years’ experience 
in systematic botany has steadily led me into quite a different channel of 
thought. This I nowsventure to make public, although I am aware that it will 
meet with a great deal of opposition. When studying the principles laid down 
by great authors such as Darwin, Harcke!,, ENciEr, Hauer and others,** 
* I must ask my readers’ indulgence for the fact that this study was written before I had 
seen the most important literature bearing on the subject. I refer to Hansun, Apotpa :—Goethes 
Metamorphose der Pflanzen (Geschichte einer Botanischen Hypothese), 1907. 
** Among the literature which treats of the principle of natural classification, I may men- 
tion the following works :— 
Darwiy, C.— On the Origin of’ Species, (New York, 1890); Divergence of Character, and the 
Probable Effects of the Action of Natural Selection through Divergence of Character and Extinc- 
tion, on the Descendants of a Common Ancestor, 1. c. pp. 86-97; Classification, 1. c. pp. 363-381. 
Hascrex, E. — Prinzipien der Generellen Morphologie der Organismen (Berlin, 1906); Das 
natiirliche System als Stammbaum (Prinzipien der Klassifikation), l.-c. p. 390. 
Encier, A. — Exliuterungen zu der Ubersicht. iiber die Embryophyta Siphonogama, in den 
Natiirlichen Pflanzenfamilien, Nachtriigen zum IL-IV. Teil, (1897), pp. 358-380. 
, —.— Prinzipien der Systematischen Anordnung, im Syllabus der P flanzenfamilien 
siebente Auflage, Berlin, 1212. 
Hauer, H. — Provisional Scheme of the Natural (Phylogenetic) System of Flowering Plants, 
in the New Phytologist, Vol. IV., No. 7, July, 1905. 
» —. — Ein zweiter Entwurf des natiirlichen (phylogenetischen) Systems der Bliten- 
pflanzen, in den Berichte der Deutschen Bot. Gesellsch. XXIII, 2, pp. 85-91. 
Lorsy, J. P.—- Vortriige iiber Botanische Stammesgeschichte, I., Jena, (1907). 
Werrster, R.— Handbuch der Systematischen Botanik (Zweite Auflage, 1911); Allgemeiner 
Teil, 1. c. pp. 1-49. 
