CHAP. II. 
IRREGULAR METAMORPHOSIS. 
545 
conversion of petals into stamens. I have, in a paper read 
before the Horticultural Society, and published in the sixth 
volume of their Transactions, endeavoured to show that these 
changes always take place in the order of developement, or 
from circumference to centre ; that is to say, that the calyx is 
transformed into petals, the petals into stamens, and the 
stamens into ovarium ; but that the reverse does not occur. 
It is there observed, that alterations of another kind may 
happen, such as changes in the appearance of the stamens 
occasioned by abortion ; but such metamorphoses are to be 
considered imperfect attempts on the part of particular organs 
to revert to their primitive forms. It is further remarked, 
that if metamorphosis took place from centre to circumference, 
or in a direction the inverse of developement, it would not be 
easy to show the cause of the greater beauty of double than 
of single flowers ; because the inevitable consequence of a 
reversed order of transformation would be, that the rich or 
delicate colour of the petals, upon which all flowers depend 
for their beauty, would be converted into the uniform green 
of the calyx. Such a change, therefore, instead of producing 
a flower more beautiful than its original, w^ould tend to destroy 
its beauty. But if the true order of alteration be from the 
circumference to the centre, and if the different organs of 
fructification are only susceptible of being converted into 
those which are next them, and the axis of inflorescence, and 
if no retrograde action takes place, the reason of the superior 
beauty of double flowers will be manifest. In the latter case 
the calyx may, indeed, throw oflT its dull green colour and 
assume the vivid hues of the petals, as in the Pseony and 
primrose, and the petals may dilate themselves, and in at- 
tempting to perform the functions of stamens may multiply 
and transform themselves into a hundred grotesque and 
curious appearances ; but no diminution of beauty or loss of 
brilliant colours will take place. Such were the opinions I 
ventured to entertain in 18*25 : they concern a subject pecu- 
liarly exposed to doubt and difference of opinion ; but I think 
that the weight of evidence is in favour of those opinions 
rather than the contrary. 
N N 
