2() STUniKS IN INPIAX KinUK PLANTS. 



cortex witli a few in the (>])i(lonnis, Imt tlioro is no continuous linti 

 of two or three layers of coloured cells as in the purple types. The 

 upper portion of the stem is quite green to the eye, but, neverthe- 

 less, contains scattered coloured cells. In types 6, 7 and 8 the stems 

 which are quite green while growing vigorously, turn red as the 

 plant gets old and when the fruits are ripe the stem may be as red 

 as in tvpe 3. Diseased or stunted specimens often show the same 

 phenomenon. In transverse section the coloured cells are found 

 to be scattered in the cortex as in type 3. 



There is a tendency for coloured patches to appear on tlic 

 blade as the leaves get old. These patches are purple in the purple 

 stemmed kinds and red in the green and red stemmed types. 



Seedling characters. In the summary on page 17 it will be seen 

 that the distinction between types 7 and 8 rests on the colour of the 

 seedlings onlv as the mature plants are indistinguishable. The 

 seedlings of type 7 have reddish stems which turn green when the 

 plants grow up while the seedlings of type 8 have green stems. 

 This curious difference in the seedlings is constant appearing every 

 year. 



There are differences between the seedlings and young plants 

 of the rest of the types with one exception, namely, in the seedlings 

 of t}'pes 3, 6 and 7 where they are somewhat similar. Types 1 and 5 

 are alike in the very early stages when the cotyledonary leaves 

 are red on the upper surface. In a short time type 5 shows divid- 

 ed leaves those of type 1 remaining simple throughout. The char- 

 acteristics of type 4 appear in the seedling stage, the cotyledons 

 are small and the young stems tall and slender. Types 2 and 8 have 

 green seedlings which can soon be distinguished, the former forming 

 simple leaves only, the latter divided foliage. The seedlings of the 

 first generation of cro.sses between green and ])ur])lc kinds are 

 ])ink in colour. 



The significance of these seedling differences as well as those 

 which appear in the earlv stages of growth are of great importance 

 and are dealt with in the next chapter. 



