Vegetable physiology has demonstrated, that during the progress of
vegetation most remarkable changes occur in succession, in the chemical
composition, as well as in the sensible qualities of a plant; time will
not allow me to be prodigal of examples, take therefore one which is
familiar and striking,—the aromatic and spicy qualities of the
unexpanded flowers of the _Caryophyllus Aromaticus_ (_Cloves_) are well
known to every body, but if the flower-bud be fully developed it loses
these properties altogether, and the fruit of the tree is not in the
least degree aromatic; so the berries of Pimento, when they come to full
maturity, lose their aromatic warmth and acquire a flavour very
analogous to that of Juniper. The _Colchicum autumnale_ may be cited as
another example in which the medicinal properties of the vegetable are
entirely changed during the natural progress of its developement. See
also _Inspissated Juices_, under the article _Extract_.