It is almost wonderful that the doctrine which teaches that all parts of a flower are modified primary leaves, should have such universal assent, when but a comparatively few years ago it was laughed at by the most intelligent men of the day. Speaking of the theory, an editorial article in Paxton's Magazine for 1844, says :

" There is something so monstrous, so degrading in the idea, that the mind which contemplates all things as beautiful and perfect in their creation, revolts at it".