THE AMERICAN BOTANIST 



57 



In some cases 3 or even 4 roots were formed, but never more 

 than one bud in these experiments. There appeared to be 

 some degree of polarity in that the buds were formed slightly 

 superior in position. The first roots, while at first positively 

 heliotropic, and at first produced at right angles to the stem, 

 shortly afterwards curved in under the stem and away from 

 the light. 



The fact that at the base of each new bud roots appeared 

 might indicate that the localization described would be of use 

 to the plant, especially since under ideal conditions, the stem 

 tends to become brittle, and that there is a tendency for the 

 stem to die away beneath the branches, although it should be 

 remembered that the habitat of this particular form — in slow 

 streams and ponds — is such as would preclude the probability 

 of any constant strain making these properties useful. 



