102 



DEVELOPMENT OT THE 



tuft close to each other; it will then be generally found that the 

 second, which expands later, stands together with the young 

 main bud in the axil of the uppermost leaf. 



After the time of flowering the basal portions of this year's leaves 

 extend and become broader and more fleshy, and the lamina dies 

 off at a definite point. This year's roots, also, and the lower part 

 of the main axis perish, and separate easily from the still vegeta- 

 ting portions of the bulb. By autumn the young bulb has nearly 

 attained its full growth, and the new flower-stem is visible ; new 

 roots also are sent forth at this period. 



On the main axis of a bulb which has blown several years in 

 succession, we find, in general, without reckoning the dead and 

 dying sheaths, the formations of two previous years (I. and II.), of 

 this year (III.), and the commencement of that of the year follow- 

 ing (IV.). This year's plant (III.) at the time of flowering has 

 not absorbed the contents of the leaves destined for nutriment, 

 situated on the two-year-old portion of the axis (I.), not to mention 

 that of the previous year (II.). In this it differs from the bulb of 

 Ornithogalum nutans, where, at the time of flowering, the scales 

 of the two-year-old portion of the axis are exhausted. In every 

 year's growth of the main axis, many new sheaths are formed 

 (which serve as reservoirs of nutriment, and at a later period, 

 when the tips are dead, cannot be distinguished from the sheaths 

 which have arisen from the basal portion of the leaves), and then 

 numerous leaves ; whereas in Ornithogalum nutans there are only 

 leaves, in which respect the Hyacinths have more resemblance to 

 Orn. umbellatum, where at least the first leaf of a new axis 

 assumes the form of a scale. The main axis of II. is the lateral 

 axis of I. ; III. the lateral axis of II., and IV. of III. The 

 simple roots do not spring from the axis of the blooming plant 

 as in Gagea, Fritillaria, &c. but from an older part of the main 

 axis. The offsets are found especially in the axils of the lower 

 sheaths, and consist equally with the primary bulb of one or more 

 sheaths, which inclose one or more leaves. 



Hyacinthus ouientalis. 



Fig. 1. Bulb with the outer sheaths 

 removed, just after 

 flowering, 

 n. base of sheaths whose upper 

 margin has perished, 

 leaving a scar. 

 ■. leaves cut across. 



d. peduncle. 



Fig. 2. All the sheaths are removed 

 below the last year's 

 peduncle. 

 b. scales above peduncle. 



e. last year's peduncle. 



