[ '97 1 



As to his fccond remark on the decay of that 

 part of the root from which the flower-ftems arife, 

 he might pofllbly have never made the pbfcrvatidn. 

 This is the firft time of my obferving it, though I 

 have at divers times heard it attefted by thofc who 

 have experienced it. In the fpecimen'I fend you, 

 the fide- bulbs are apparent, and the mam root in a 

 ftate of decay. 



It feems to me that this plant, like many other 

 perennials, upon its firft bloom, exhaufts (if the 

 bloom be ftrong) its vegetative principle in that 

 part. I am fenfible the root cannot be cured 

 without fhrinking confiderably, and it always ap- 

 pears much flirunk when cured with the bark on. 

 If it be expofed to heat, or a drying air, when firft 

 taken up, it will flirivel very much, and be horny ; 

 to prevent which, I advife laying it in the fhade, 

 or under cover. 



I am, &c. 



G. P. 



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Vol. I^ O Article 



