Fig. 214. 



ORGANS OF NUTEITIOX. 



Fig. 215. 



13 



FUjs. 214 and 215. Suckers of a 

 species of Mint, &c. 



e. The Rhizovie or liootstock. (Figs. 216 and 217.) — This 

 is a prostrate thickened stem or branch running along the sm-face 



Fig. 216. 



Fig. 217. 



Fig. 216. A portion of the rhizome of a species of Iris. Fig. 21". A por- 

 tion of the rhizome of tlie Solomon's Seal iPoJtjgonaluni multiflorum). 

 b. A branch. 6'. Bud. c,c. Scars produced by the decay of old branches. 



of the ground, or more generally partly beneath it, and whicli 

 gives off roots fi'om its lower side, and buds from its upper. 

 Such stems sometimes creep for a long distance in this way, 

 and have the upper surface marked by scars (fig. 217, c), which 

 are produced by the falhng off of their leaves or lierbaceous 

 stems. Such a form of stem is presented by the Iris, Sweet- 

 flag, the Ginger, Solomon's Seal, &c. The name rhizome is 

 applied by many botanists to all stems of this nature and appear- 

 ance whether aerial or subterranean. It forms, therefore, a 

 natural transition to the latter kinds of stems ; wliich Ave now 

 proceed to describe, 



2. Subterranean Modifications of the Stem. — All these w^ere 

 formerly confounded with roots, and they are still in common 

 I 



