REMARKABLE OCCURRENCES 
196 
One of the most ingenious observations of Linnjeus in physical 
botany was his new theory of the origin of the blossoms. He con- 
sidered them as a sudden display, happening all at once, of the leaves 
and the gems of plants, (Prolepsis Plantarum), as the anticipation of a 
growth of five years. The lateral or side-leaves, spring, according to 
this theory, from those parts which would have produced the or- 
dinary leaves in the following year, the calyx from the leaves of the 
third, the petals from the leaves of the fourth, the stamina from the 
leaves of the fifth, and the pistilla from the leaves of the sixth year. 
Thus this developement, according to the fabric of nature, would only 
be effected after a lapse of six years, were it not accelerated by the 
covers of the marrow of the plants, which contain too little of the ali- 
mentary juice to be able to follow its extension, and to prevent the 
thriving of the flower or blossom. 
To these may we add many other observations upon the distinQ: parts 
and properties of plants. Thus Linnaeus, for instance, demonstrated, 
how accurately flowers perform the service of a time piece, in which 
the hour of the day can be precisely ascertained; he composed a 
calendar for the period when the plants thrive their blossom, (Calen- 
darium Flora) and pointed out from this calendar in what manner the 
time best calculated for certain labours of rural ceconomy may be 
chosen, he presented the different sorts of the natural emigrations of 
plants, (Colonia Plantarum), &c. 
All these, and many other remarks and subje&s which he left to the 
discussion of his pupils in the academical disputations, were collected 
and published by him under the title of Amoenitates Academica. The 
first part of this collection made its appearance in the year 1 749, and 
the 
