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Later examination has shown the roots to be arranged in six- 
usually-circular clusters placed side by side and extending com- 
pletely around the node, those growing from the upper side of 
the node also follow the general law of root growth, 7. ¢., descend. 
In those examined the number in each cluster ranged from 14 
to 21, averaging 110 roots at a node. 
The branches occurred regularly at several consecutive nodes, 
but irregularly at others. They sometimes extended to the right 
and to the left alternately like those of a Cucurbitaceous vine; at 
_ an estimated angle with the main stem of about 60° upon an 
average. 
During the course of our investigation, the queries arose 
whether those long internodes are perennial or survive but a 
single season? Whether the plantlet at each node has a perma- 
nent character or otherwise; and, if the former prove true, 
whether each node becomes the centre from which new growth 
radiates the following year? 
_ We contemplated a further inquiry the succeeding spring, hop- 
ing to solve those questions; but, during the interval, our friend 
was stricken with paralysis and intapacitated for additional re- . 
search, and the matter rested. 
In November last and again a month later, in company with 
Chas D. Lippincott, we visited the locality to inquire into the 
winter status of the plant, as well as to determine more fully its 
method of growth; and perchance to throw some light upon the 
above questions. The results thus far obtained are here sub- 
mitted. 
We secured many specimens containing buds, but in every 
instance they were at or near the end of a stem or branch, and 
consisted of one or generally two tuber-like enlargements of the 
stem following each other consecutively. The internodes of these 
thickened stems had failed to develop longitudinally more than a 
few inches, while transversely their diameter was greatly in- 
creased. The general structure of the stem was maintianed in the 
tubers, and the leaf buds were invariably found at their ends—the 
nodes—which had undergone but a slight modification. The tubers 
obtained varied from three to eleven inches in length, and very 
closely resembled a banana in appearance, both in regard to shape 
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