BRITISH PLANTS 
axils of the outer scale-leaves. The new bulbs are 
enclosed by the scale-leaves of the parent for several 
years until they become sufficiently big to burst the now 
withered leaves, and separate as distinct plants. 
The structure of a typical corm can be observed in the 
erocus (Figs. 61, 62). The swollen part consists entirely of 
stem, enclosed by fibrous scales placed one above the 
other, as in ordinary shoots. The apex of the stem is 
occupied by one or more flower-buds, together with a 
fe 
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Fic. 61.—Crocus Corm In RESTING Fic. 62.—LoneirupinaL SECTION 
CONDITION, WITH ENVELOPING OF THE BuD SHOWN IN 
Scate - Leaves REMOVED TO Fie. 61. 
sHOow Soup STEM (e). 
a, bud; b, remainsof previous year’s 
foliage-leaves ; c, axillary bud, 
which later swells to form a new 
small corm ; d, previous year’s 
corm, now shrivelled ; /, scar of 
a, cover-scales; 6, foliage-leaves ; 
c, flower; d, axillary bud, which 
becomes next year’s flowering 
shoot ; e, stem, which swells to 
form next year’s corm. 
scale-leaf. 
number of young foliage-leaves, the whole being covered 
by a series of white scales forming a large conspicuous 
bud. During the vegetative period the part of the stem 
from which the leaves and flowers arise becomes filled 
with food drawn from the old corm and the foliage-leaves. 
It gradually swells, and forms a new corm on top of the 
old one. A bud in the axil of one of the -foliage-leaves 
becomes the flowering shoot of this new corm, whilst the 
cover-scales of the original bud turn brown, and form the 
