METAMORPHOSIS. 91 



"While the rib of the stalk builds itself solidly out. 



Leafless, however, and swift, upsprings the delicate flower-stem, 



And a miraculous sight fills the beholder with joy. 



Round in a circle there place them, in number exact or uncounted, 



Leaflets, the smallest one first, next to that likest itself. 



Gathered close round the axle, now opens tlie sheltering calyx, 



And to full beauty and height lets out the gay -colored crown. 



So shines Nature complete in all her fullness and glory, 



As in regular rise, limb upon limb she displays. 



Ever thou marvelest anew, so soon as the stem with its blossom 



Over the changing leaves' delicate scaflTolding rocks. 



But this beauteous show now a new creation announces ; 



Yes, the soft-colored leaf feeleth the hand of the God, 



And together draws itself quick ; the tenderest forms now 



Lean together in pairs, seemingly made to unite. 



Lovingly now they stand, the beautiful couples, together. 



See, in numerous crowd, ranged round the altar they wait ! 



Hymen hovers this way, and streams of exquisite odors, 



Borne on the generous breeze, breathe a new life in all around. 



Now distinctly swell at once the germs without number, 



Germs of the swelling fruit, soft in the motherly lap. 



And here Nature concludes the ring of her infinite powers ; 



Yet a new one at once links itself on to the last, 



That unbroken the chain through endless time may be lengthened, 



And the whole made alive, like the one part we have seen. 



Turn thee now, beloved, and look at the motley confusion ; 



Now, no longer perplexed, you may look as it waves. 



Every plant but announces to thee some law everlasting • 



Every blossom, it speaks plainer and plainer to thee. 



I. Yon thus see in the beautiful garb of poesy the 

 same thing presented to you in the talk about leaves, that 

 Nature works from one type — the leaf being the embodi- 

 ment of the idea which she raries and elaborates through 

 all her marvelous development of vegetable structure. 

 This development and contraction you are again told is 

 known by botanists under the general name of regular 

 metamorpliosis. 



239. What is presented to yon in the talk about leaves ? Under what name is 

 it known by botanists ? 



