48 



MEMOIRS OF THE NE^V YORK BOTANICAL GARDEN. 



Arisaema Dracontium (L.) Schott. 



Corms of Arisaema Dracontium were placed in the dark chamber 

 in 1897, 1898 and 1899. After a proper resting period had been 

 given, the terminal buds would begin to enlarge about five weeks 

 later, and roots were sent out from the upper internode which pene- 

 trated the soil in all directions. These roots as well as those of 

 Amorfho^hallus and other aroids often emerged into the air, and 

 were only directed back into the soil after a length of a centimeter 

 or two had been exposed, as if the sole directive force were moisture. 



Fig. 9. Culture of etiolated plants of Arisaevia Dracontium, showing several 

 stages of development of the buds, scapes and flowers. 



After about five weeks from the beginning of the culture the buds 

 reached a length of 25 to 30 cm., at which stage the prophyll, which 

 had hitherto completely enclosed the leaves and flower, would split 

 and an elbow or curved portion of the petioles of one of the leaves 



