176 Proliferous Character of the Lilium Candidum. 



upwards simultaneously with, or sliortly after the appearance of the 

 leaves. In the Vv'hite liiy I'le latter is the case. This expansion 

 produces a tall stalk covered with imperfect foliage, called bractes. 

 These leaf-like organs accompany the inflorescence of most plants. 

 When the purposes of this expanded stalk of t!ie flower-bud are ac- 

 complislied, it becomes desiccated, and the elaborated sap descend- 

 ing, assists in forming at its base a new flower-bud for the next 

 season. 



Although we may uivariably look for the leaf-bud in the axis of 

 every leaf, as there it must exist either in a dormant or sentient state, 

 yet these same vital germs are to be found even in the axils of stipules, 

 bractes, sepals, petals, stamens, and carpels : but in these latter situa- 

 tions they are commonly undeveloped. 



Suppose we now cut away the flower-stalk, as directed in the be- 

 ginning of this essay. The vital energy is still continued in the 

 stalk, a fact by no means uncommon in many plants. Tlie infant ^en/t 

 or capsule therefore continues to swell and increase : the descending 

 and elaborated sa]) calls into existence these dormant and hitherto 

 undeveloped leaf-buds wliich exist in the axils of the bracres : and 

 once awakened into life, they immediately appropriate to their in- 

 crease the remaining juices of their parent stock ; deriving from it, 

 and the humid atmosphere, their necessary food. Presently radicles 

 shoot forth from their bases, as if the young plants were desirous of 

 answering the great and important end of their adventitious existence. 

 When the flower-stalk has ceased to give support to any one of them, 

 it falls to the earth, to be received into its genial bosom, and destined 

 for future increase. 



Buds, it has been truly said, are Individual vegetable existences. 

 A tree is therefore a vast congeries of living beings, each Individual 

 capable of perfect development. By this great law, we take ad- 

 vantage of Nature in many of the branches of Horticulture. The 

 dormant leaf-bud in the bracteal axil In this Instance, has been called 

 into life, and has become without the aid of Horticultural knowledge 

 and experience, a separate and perfect plant, similar in every respect 

 to its parent. 



I trust, Messrs. Editors, that sonie of your readers will repeat this 

 experiment, for their own satisfaction : it being, as I conceive, a cu- 

 rious fact in vegetable economy. Perhaps it may not be new to some ; 

 but finding a place in your columns, it may prove interesting to others, 

 who are fond of tracing the mysterious laws of Physiological Botany. 

 Yours, John Lewis Russell. 



Pittsburg, Pa., April 5th, 1835. 



