PRIMULA AND OXALIS. 219 



the rudimentary petiole and lamina. The basal axis which bears 

 all these parts is very low. 



The roots break through the outer integument in spring, and 

 are much branched. Many of these are delicate, but others are 

 tuberiform, like those which frequently accompany the newly 

 formed corms of Crocus vermis ; occasionally all are of this 

 description. The outer fresh scales do not develope their lamina, 

 but the inner only. In the axils of the lower scales there are 

 buds, which in the course of the summer increase in size and form 

 bulbs. The outer leaves of these axillary bulbs are scale-like, and 

 in general dry up very early ; then follow perfect leaves, and then 

 again scales. During the first summer they frequently produce 

 no leaves, especially those bulbs which are highest on the axis, 

 but are formed of scales only. 



In the axils of the uppermost scales and leaves stand the 

 peduncles, on which are seated only a few small bracts. 



The uppermost leaves form again a terminal bulb, which in 

 consequence of the decay of this year's axis and leaves becomes 

 independent, and flowers the year following, as do the greater 

 axillary bulbs which equally become isolated. It seems very 

 difficult to deny the existence of bulbs in these plants. 



In Oxalis acetosella the main shoot is equally terminal. It 

 elongates after the manner of a runner, like Adoxa moschatellina ; 

 its first leaves are true leaves. Lateral shoots also are present, 

 so that 0. acetosella has a strong agreement with Adoxa in the 

 arrangement of its parts, much as it differs in other respects. 

 The main axis in O. acetosella is not, however, so transitory, for 

 the stem, whose internodes are sometimes much developed though 

 occasionally very short, last at least a year. The leaves die down 

 as far only as the short fleshy basilar part, which is articulated 

 with the petiole and the peduncles in their axils. The main axis 

 is elongated yearly by means of the terminal bud. 



In Oxalis stricta, on the contrary, the whole axis (which with 

 respect to last year's axis is lateral,) dies off with the flower- 

 bearing branches on it, and only the runner-like shoots remain, 

 which spring from the subterranean portions of the primary axis, 

 and are somewhat fleshy to their extremities. They are clothed 

 with scales, from whose axils again fleshy branches frequently 

 spring, and have internodes about half an inch long, giving rise 

 to the scattered delicate branched roots, while still connected 

 with the parent axis. In the following year they produce a 

 peduncle, and die after the formation of the fleshy branches. 



