

,8(n ] Life History of Hydrastis Canadensis. 75 



weeks, when they measure 8 to 12 mm. in diameter. In 

 general outline they are now orbicular, and slightly emargin- 

 ate, with three basal nerves, well defined on the under sur- 

 face, and of a dull green color. The petioles are now long, 

 slender, slightly pubescent, somewhat divergent, and joined 

 to the radicle H to 12 mm. below the surface. 



In August or September, after the first stage of growth has 

 been completed, the plant consists of the following parts: A 

 few fibrous roots at irregular intervals along a thickened and 

 tapering radicle, from the summit of which a small yellow bud 

 arises about 4 mm. in height; and the two foliaceous cotyle- 

 dons, showing evidence of maturity and decline, with their 

 petioles inserted at its base. 



Second stage, duration one or two years. 1 — The rootstock is 

 small, erect, somewhat conical, and continuous with what con- 

 stituted the radicle of the first year, which gives off several 

 fibrous roots. There is no stem as yet, and the single leaf is 

 round-cordate, sometimes partially peltate, palmately five- 

 lobed,. doubly serrate, with a cup-like depression at base, sits 

 horizontally on a footstalk 5 to 15 cm. long that is articulated 

 on the rootstalk, and has evident stipules. 



Third stage, duration indefinite. — The rhizome is knotty, 

 variously contorted, erect, with many long fibrous roots of a 

 bright orange color. The stem arises from a terminal bud 15 

 to 30 cm. or more high, 4 to 6 mm. in diameter, erect, round, 

 more or less pubescent, yellow below the surface, becoming 

 purplish from the point of exposure to light a short distance 

 upward. Three and sometimes four bud-scales embrace the 

 base of the stem, the inner much the largest. They are con- 

 duplicate, equitant, strongly keeled, hooded, mucronate, 10 

 to 15-nerved, the lateral margins membranaceous. They 

 arise from nodes 4 to 6 mm. apart, and are yellow, becoming 

 purplish if exposed at the surface, and are homologous with 

 stipules. The leaves are now two, rarely three, alternate, with 

 two-ranked arrangement, and plicate vernation. The lower 

 leaf is the larger, 15 to 30 cm. in lateral diameter when ma- 

 ture, with five acute ovate-lanceolate lobes well-defined by 

 deep incisions. The sinuses are always well rounded at the 

 bottom, never acute, though often narrow; the lobes mostly 

 overlap each other and two lateral ones bear one or more 

 minor lobes on their lower borders. The general outline is 

 between reniform and cordate; the basal sinus is very narrow. 



