154: 



Considering now the true flowers, no arrangement on the 

 spadix consistent with the ordinary views of phyllotaxy can be 



made out. The flowers are arranged vertically along the axis of 



the spadix In such a way as to form diagonal rows. In one 

 specimen at hand at present writing, there are nine rows of flow- 

 ers passing diagonally around the axis in one direction, and nine 

 in the other direction, forming thus eighteen vertical rows. These 

 rows are apt to be more or less disturbed by lateral pressure, es- 

 pecially at the top of the spadix (fig. ii). In like manner, it 

 will be noticed that the sepals enfold each other in every order 

 possible on the same spadix, so that no conclusions can be drawn 

 from their arrangement. 



As to the seeds, there seem to be no radicles, the very first 

 roots being thrust out from the central vascular parts of the as- 

 cending stem (figs. 3, 4). This continues to be the manner 01 

 production of all succeeding roots. In old rootstocks the vas- 

 cular portion is yellowish in color; the surrounding parts are 

 almost white. This white portion surrounds the bases of the 

 roots, and is readily separable from the same, suggesting that it 

 is only a pithy structure which has grown out from the more 

 vascular parts of the rootstock, and which in its growth has more 

 or less enfolded the roots. It will also be noticed that the roots 

 are much wrinkled, suggesting a contraction of their length (fi 

 5). Knowing that the seeds germinate usually within an inch of 

 the surface of the ground, it has seemed reasonable that this was 

 an arrangement to draw the rootstock, which otherwise would 

 become serial, dow^n into the loose mud, each year's growth 

 meaning a new grip on the plant, and a renewed hauhng process 

 back into the earth, which succeeds so well that the top of the 

 rootstock as a rule is found at least several inches below the sur- 

 face of the ground, 



EXPLANATION OF PLATE LXXXIL 



1. The lower part of a seed showing the depression, x Yz. 



2. A section across the upper part leaving the plumule, X >^. 



3. The same, germinated, X ^. 



4. A section of a young specimen, showing the origin of the first roots from the 

 stem, X Yz. 



5. A plant, the earlier scales broken away to reveal the young flower, Feb. i5' 

 X X- ^'^^ showing the wrinkled roots. 



g- 



