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goethe's essay oh the metamorphosis of plants. 
GOETHE’S ESSAY ON THE METAMORPHOSIS OF PLANTS. 
(Translated from the German by Edward Ortgies.) 
“ ho, he goeth by me, and I see him not ; 
he passeth on also, hut I perceive him not.” — J ob, ix. II. 
“ Voir venir les choses, est le meilleur moyen de les expliquer.” — T urpin. 
INTRODUCTION. 
1. Every one who has studied even to but a little extent the vegetation of plants, will 
easily observe, that sometimes certain external parts will transform themselves, and, in a 
greater or less degree, pass into the shape of those parts nearest to them. 
2. So we see, for example, that the single flower transforms itself into a double one, 
when, instead of stamens and anthers, there appear petals, either quite the same in shape 
and colour with the other petals, or still bearing evident marks of their origin. 
3. If w r e observe that, in this manner, it is possible for a plant to make a step 
backwards, and to invert the order of vegetation, then we shall become more attentive to 
the regular way which nature goes, and we shall learn those laws of transformation by 
which nature produces one part through and out of the other, and forms the most diversified 
shapes merely by the modification of a single organ. 
4. The secret affinity existing among the different external parts of plants, as leaves, 
calyx, corolla, and stamens, which develope themselves after and out of each other, has, in 
general, been noticed by naturalists long ago ; and has been the subject of special attention, 
and this phenomenon, by which one and the same organ presents itself to our eye under 
so many modifications, has been called the Metamorphosis of Plants. (Morphology.) 
5. This metamorphosis presents itself in three different ways : regular , irregular , and 
accidental. 
6. We may just as well call the regular metamorphosis & progressive one; for it may 
be traced from the first seminal leaves gradually upwards to the last development of the 
fruit ; by transferring one form into another as on an intellectual ladder, progressing 
towards the highest point of nature. It is this metamorphosis which I have attentively 
studied for several years, and to explain which I undertake the present essay. We shall 
therefore, in the following order, consider the plant only so far as it is annual, and notice its 
progress from the seed onwards to its fructification, without interruption. 
7. The irregular metamorphosis may be considered as retrograde ; for as nature in the 
former case hurries on to its great destination, so here, in this case, it goes backwards one 
or more steps. There she produces flowers as by an irresistible propensity and with 
mighty efforts fits them out for fructification ; here, on the contrary, nature seems 
enervated, and her powers feeble, and though perhaps agreeable to our eyes, still inwardly 
deprived of power and action. By the experience, with which this kind of metamorphosis 
furnishes us, we shall be enabled to discover what is secreted by the regular metamorphosis ; 
we shall also see clearly here wdiat we could suppose only before, and in this manner we 
are enabled sooner to attain our aim. 
8. From that kind of metamorphosis, however, which as accidental originates in external 
causes, chiefly by insects, we shall turn our attention away, as it might induce us to leave 
the simple road we intend to follow, and to displace our aim. Perhaps we shall find 
occasion another time to speak of these monstrous excrescences, which are still kept in 
fixed limits. 
9. I have ventured to give this present essay without reference to explanatory figures, 
which in many instances might be found necessary. I reserve to myself to add them in 
future, which may be done so much easier, as there is plenty of materials left to explain and 
complete this present small and merely preliminary essay. In that case I shall not be 
obliged to take such measured steps as now. I shall be able to add other analogous 
subjects and passages, taken from authors, partake of my views. Particularly, I shall 
