GOETHE ON THE METAMORPHOSIS OF PLANTS. 9 
36. Nature’s power of collecting a number of leaves round a com- 
mon axis is seen to produce even a closer union, so as to render these 
clustered and modified leaves still more difficult to recognize; that is 
to say, it unites their edges one with the other, often entirely, but 
frequently only in part. The crowded and closely-pressed leaves are 
brought into the nearest contact with each other while yet in a tender 
state, an anastomosis is effected by the operation of the elaborated 
juices which the plant now contains, and they thus form a bell-shaped, 
or so-called monosepalous calyx; which betrays its compound origin by 
the manner in which its border is more or less incised or divided. We 
may find evidence of this by comparing a number of deeply-divided 
calyces with polysepalous ones; especially if we attentively consider 
the common calyces (involucres) of many Composite flowers. Thus, 
we shall find that the calyx of a Marigold, which is defined in syste- 
matie descriptions as simple and much divided, consists both of 
attached and imbricated leaves ; amongst which, as we said above, di- 
minished stem-leaves have, as it were, insinuated themselves. 
37. In many plants the number and form in which the calyx-leaves 
(sepals), whether distinct or united, are arranged round the axis of the 
stalk, is constant ; the same regularity being observable in the other sub- 
sequent organs. On this constancy of character depend, in great part, 
the progress, stability, and reputation of botanical science; which of 
late years has been making continual advances, There are, indeed, in- 
stances in which the number and form of these parts are not equally 
constant; yet even this inconstancy has not baffled the keen powers of 
observation which distinguish the masters of this science; on the con- 
trary, they have endeavoured, by means of exact definitions, to impose 
a strict limit, so to speak, within which these aberrations of nature are 
restrained.* 
38. Thus has nature formed the calyx ; by uniting together around a 
common centre, genorally in a certain definite number and order, many 
leaves, and consequently many nodes, whieh she had previously pro- 
duced in succession, and at some distance from each other. Should, 
bases into footstalks. So we have seen the bracts of the Plantain, Plantago major, 
presenting in all respects theform aud size of the ordinary leaves; and we have observed 
similar changes in the seales of the strobile of the Hop, and in those of the Larch, 
Cryptomeria, ete. In Fodelepis the bracts are stalked like ordinary leaves. (Vid. 
Moquin-Tandon, ‘ Tératologie Végétale, p.202.) 
_ * Calyx tune plane non differt a foliis proxime ipsi preecedentibus.” (Wolff, 
“Theoria Generationis, 1759, $ 114.) 



