LIFE HISTORIES OF FAMILIAR PLANTS 



also only continuations of the development of the 

 original stock. A new plant, properly speaking, is 

 one developed from a seed, for the seed is a sexual 

 product of two parents of the species, a male 

 and a female. Arum plants, then, are spread 

 either by tubers or by seeds. 



In Fig. 22 (Plate i6) we see, as it appeared on 

 a certain April 5th, one of the little tubers pro- 

 duced underground by an older plant. It has 

 developed roots below, and above has budded out 

 a single leaf. The rich stores of nourishment in 

 the little tuber gave the plant a good start in life, 

 and as the roots developed below ground, growth 

 went on apace above, and some eight or nine days 

 later the leaf began to assume its permanent form 

 (Fig. 23, Plate 16). A little later still, another 

 leaf was formed to accompany it (Fig. 24, Plate 16). 

 By early May a third leaf had appeared, and, in 

 addition, a curious central object that tapered to a 

 sharp point (Fig. 25, Plate 17). 



Then the work of the three leaves was to 

 spread themselves out to their fullest extent to the 

 sunlight, for they have the power of absorbing 

 energy from the sun's rays ; and this energy is 

 largely utilised in the building processes of this all- 

 important central object, which meanwhile was 

 rapidly progressing. By May i6th it had become 

 quite an important part of the plant (Fig. 2(iy 

 Plate 17), and was unfolding its structure to the 

 light. Within was a curious, purple-coloured, 

 club-like organ, and the sheath or hood surround- 

 ing it was of a pale green colour, tinged also with 



34 



