The
Metamorphosis of Plants
The Metamorphosis of
Plants (1790) is undoubtedly Goethe’s best known and most
famous scientific work. In 123 short paragraphs the great
German poet, philosopher and scientist accompanies the
plant through all its outward transformations, from its
development of a seed to its reformation into a seed. “If
we observe all forms, especially the organic forms, we find
that nothing is permanent, nothing is at rest, nothing
concluded, but, on the contrary, that all is in continuous
fluctuating movement. Nothing is held fast in experience
for a single moment.” Goethe acquaints the reader with the
organs of the plant, with their physiological functions and
the roles that they must play in the plant economy. He
observes the course of development, the metamorphoses to
which the individual parts must adapt. He enables us to see
the plant as an organism, which is born, grows, reproduces,
and dies. Goethe extends this phenomenological approach
beyond individual plant organisms and conceives the entire
universe as a living being. “Nature is forever changing and
in her there is nothing standing still a single moment.” In
the multitude of plant forms Goethe seeks the form of the
archetypal plant (Urpflanze). “Each of Nature’s works has
an essential nature of its own, each of her manifestations
a most isolated concept; and yet all comprise only one.”
Features:
8 x A4 pages, full
colour on sturdy card, protection coated both sides
Unabridged text
with some explanatory explanations.
See larger
picture
See the Flower Anatomy
Page
See the Leaf Types
Page
PRICE AU$ 15.00 (includes shipping and handling)
