433 THE CANADIAN NATURALIST. [Dec. 



time the leaves are about two inches wide, and are divided by a 

 couple of sinuosities, giving them, when spread out, a reniform or 

 heart shape, with large rounded lobes separated by obtuse sinuses ; 

 but as they increase in size, the sinuosities either remain simply 

 two, or increase up to seven in number, extending half way to the 

 base. 



The number of leaves varies from two to six, and several flower 

 stalks are furnished from a single root. The number of flowers 

 depends upon the number of buds or hybernaculse, usually from 

 three to four ; but when the flowering is over, the leaves spring up 

 in profusion. 



A single bud terminates the root, but as the root makes offsets 

 from its sides, several buds are formed, which separate as the old 

 a*oot decays, acquiring by this separation the abrupt or premorse 

 form commonly noticed. The hybernaculum is composed of suc- 

 cessive scales or sheaths, the last of which, as mentioned before, 

 acquires a considerable size as the plant springs up. If the hyber- 

 naculum is dissected in the summer or autumn, the embryo leaf 

 and flower of the succeeding spring may be discovered, and with a 

 common magnifier, even the stamens may be counted. This pecu- 

 liarity adds greatly to the interest of the plant, which some botanists 

 declare is scarcely known to be equalled in point of delicacy and 

 singularity, from the time its leaves emerge from the ground, and 

 embosom the infant blossom, to their full expansion, and the 

 ripening of the seed vessels. 



The plant has been succesfully grown in various parts of Europe, 

 and is an object of attraction and interest to the florist. Still it 

 is very little known in Britain, and is not even mentioned in 

 many of the systematic works on Botany. 



Its height, as before stated, varies from five or six inches to up- 

 wards of a foot : this will vary according to its geographical posi- 

 tion and also to the nature of the soil in which it grows. A dry 

 wood, with fertile soil, is its favorite seat ; but on the borders of 

 rich, shady woods and clearings, and on the declivities of 

 hills in a shady situation, and in a light vegetable mould, 

 it thrives and propogates most abundantly, as well as being- 

 seen to perfection. It grows also in the shade on a rocky soil, 

 partly covered with light earth, composed principally of decayed 

 leaves. Dr. Barton speaks of it in an arid sandy soil, near the 

 University of Pennsylvania ; whilst Pursh says it delights in fer- 

 tile soil. Moreover, it is found in places where the soil is positively 



