Metamorphosis

Andreas Suchantke was born in Basle, Switzerland, in 1933. After studying zoology and botany, he taught life sciences at the Rudolf Steiner School in Zurich and became involved with teacher training. He has published several books in German about landscape and culture, with the theme of metamorphosis running throughout his work.

'This remarkable, exquisitely illustrated study of the plant and animals worlds contains many fascinating bits of information … But the book is not just a catalogue of interesting facts. It is an invitation to view the world of nature -- plants, animals, and the human being -- in a new way. Metamorphosis is an engaging, thought-provoking synthesis of science, art, and philosophy that will appeal to any reader of high school age and above -- student, teacher, parent, scientist, artist -- anyone with an interest in the world in which we live … Metamorphosis is a challenging book … for all enquiring minds, the book is a valuable scientific and artistic resource and an invitation to a new level of respect and love for and wonder at the world of nature.'-- Ronald Koetzsch, Renewal: A Journal for Waldorf Education, Spring/Summer 2010'Metamorphosis is a truly exceptional and beautiful book which imparts extraordinary insight into the mysterious but highly ordered processes of evolution.'-- Martin Lockley, Scientific and Medical Network Review, Summer 2010'It would be impossible to convey the immense richness of Suchantke’s book in the few pages of a review … Metamorphosis will undoubtedly be both a comfort and a challenge to students of anthroposophy, and may well be a source of inspiration to people who have never heard of Rudolf Steiner.'-- Science Group of the Anthroposophical Society in Great Britain Newsletter

• About the Author and this BookForewordIntroduction: Metamorphosis--Evolution in Action1. Archetype and Evolution--a Contradiction? Understanding2. An Example of Metamorphosis: Goethe's Idea of the Vertebral Nature of the Cranial Bones3. "From top to bottom the plant is all leaf." Formative Tendencies in the Domain of the LeafEverything is Leaf?Metamorphosis in the Evolution of a Family of Plants:the Pathway of the Cacti from the Forest to the Desert and back againThe "Primal Leaf": the Ocean's Green CarpetThe Leaf-form--Outcome of a Dialogue between Earth and Cosmos4. The BlossomThe Polarity of Leaf and FlowerFlower ColorThe Morphic Field of the Blossom5. Interim Summary: Metamorphoses--the Key to Understanding the Nature of Life6. The Various Forms of Metamorphosis in the Plant KingdomMetamorphosis and JuvenilizationThe Development of the Leaf through the Ages of the EarthEvolutionary CountermovementsPinnacles of Plant Evolution: Orchids and Grasses"Reproduction" and "Nutritive Multiplication"7. Polarity and Threefold Organization: The Dynamics of Metamorphosis8. Polarity and Threefold Structure in the Animal KingdomThe MammalsAn Interim Note on MethodThe BirdsThe InsectsInsects in generalButterfliesBeetlesThe middle group of insects9. The Archetype in Action--Metamorphosis and Threefold Structure in the Evolution of the AnimalVacillation between the Inner and the OuterStages of InternalizationFrom Exoskeleton to EndoskeletonSummaryLatimeria and the crossed alternation gaitThe Formation of the Endoskeleton and the LimbsConfirmation of Statements made by Rudolf Steineron the Head and Limb Formation in Human Beings,and on the Question of how to Present this as a Teacher10. The All-pervasive EndoskeletonThe Exoskeleton and the Endoskeleton in CoelenteratesMolluscs and their Skeletons11. The Fate of Exoskeleton and Endoskeleton in the Further Course of EvolutionLife between Levity and Gravity"Limbs" of the Head: Horns and AntlersThe Separating out of the Bodily Systems--The Embodiment of the Archetype in the Human BeingNotes and ReferencesBibliography