218 DEVELOPMENT OF 



are buds also in the axils of the lower leaves at the base of the 

 axis ; the lower these leaves are seated the smaller the bud. 



More frequently, however, the principal bud developes all the 

 leaves of its axis (an axis of the second order as regards that 

 which produced this year the first flower-stem), and gives rise to a 

 second peduncle. 



A bud is formed on the axis of this second flower-stem between 

 it and the uppermost leaf, which may either remain till the 

 following year and then produce a flower-stem, or may unfold its 

 leaves and their peduncle (the third of the whole plant) during the 

 present year, in which case a bud is found in the axil of the 

 uppermost leaf of the axis of the third order, which in the next 

 year will produce its flower-stem. 



The peduncles are therefore always terminal, since the second 

 breaks out by no means immediately from the axil of the upper- 

 most leaf of the axis of the first order, but appears on the top of 

 a leafy branch (the axis of the second order), the internodes of 

 which are not however developed. The same holds good with the 

 third head of flowers, with respect to the axis of the second order. 



It was remarked that buds occur also in the axils of the lower 

 leaves of the axis of the first order. These buds sometimes 

 produce peduncles, but they are developed later than the blossom 

 at the top of the axis of the second or even of the third order. 



At the period of flowering, the leaves of the first axis are 

 frequently withered ; the peduncles which belong to it stand near 

 to but externally to the leaves which belong to the axis of the 

 second order. In barren plants the principal bud is naturally 

 terminal, and no part of the upper portion of the axis dies. The 

 whole resembles greatly Alisma Plautago ; but in Frimula the 

 base of the axis lasts longer, but at length dies beneath, since it 

 is nourished only by accessory i-oots, inasmuch as the main root 

 which was present in the seedlings soon perishes. 



Oxalis. 



In a state of rest, late in autumn the bulbs of O. tetraphylla 

 have the following composition. On the outside are many dry 

 scales, on whose tips the remains, or at least the scars, of the 

 dead leaves are visible ; below these dry scales, are fresh, rather 

 fleshy broad scales ; these are the basal portions of leaves ; the 

 free end of the stipules is visible at their tips, between which are 



