OP REVERSED PLANTS, 59 



spurious kind of stem, formed in the manner 

 just described, when cut across shows some- 

 thino; of a circular arranoement of fibres, 

 arising from the original disposition of the 

 leaves. The common orange \i\y, Lilhim hul- 

 biferum. Curt. Mag. t. 36", and white lily, 

 L. candidicm, t. 278, which belong to the same 

 natural iamily called f/ionocofjledones, serve to 

 elucidate this subject. Their stems, though 

 of only annual duration, are formed nearly 

 on the same principle as that of a Palm, and 

 are rciUv cono-eries of leaves risino^ one above 

 another, and united by their bases into an 

 apparent stem. In these the spiral coats of 

 the sap-vessels are very easily discernible. 



To conclude this subject of the propulsion 

 of the sap, it is necessary to say a few words 

 on the power which the vessels of plants are 

 reported to possess of conveying their appro- 

 priate fluids equally well in either direction ; 

 or, m other words, that it is indifferent whe" 

 ther a cutting of any kind be planted with its 

 upper or low^er end in the ground. On this 

 /subject also Mr. Knight has afforded us new^ 

 information, by observing that, in cuttings so 

 treated, the returning vessels retain so much 



