
GOETHES ESSAY 
ON THE 
METAMORPHOSIS OF PLANTS. 
[1790.] 
Translated by Emtuy M. Cox; with Explanatory Notes 
by Maxwett T. Masters, M.D., F.L.S. 

Introduction. 
1. No one who has paid any attention to the growth of plants, can 
have failed to observe that some of their external organs occasionally 
undergo a change ; and assume, sometimes entirely, or in a greater or 
less degree, the appearance of the organ situated next in order. 
2. Thus, for example, a single flower is changed into a double one, 
petals being developed in the place of stamens, either bearing a perfect 
resemblance in form and colour to the other petals of the corolla, or 
still retaining visible signs of their origin, 
3. If we reflect that the plant has in this way the power of making 
an actual retrograde step, and of reversing the order of growth, we 
shall get more insight into nature’s ordinary method of proceeding, and 
shall learn to understand those laws of transformation by which she 
produces one part from another, and exhibits the most different forms 
by the modification of a single organ. 
4. The secret relation subsisting between the different external 
organs of plants, such as leaves, calyx, corolla, and stamens (which are 
developed in succession, and, as it were, out of one another), has long 
been acknowledged by naturalists in a general way ; indeed, much at- 
tention has been bestowed upon it; and the title “ Metamorphosis of 
Plants," has been given to the operation by which one and the same 
Organ presents itself to us under various disguises, 
5. This metamorphosis is of three kinds,—regular, irregular, and 
accidental, 
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