LILIACE/E 



233 



sometimes borne in the axils of the leaves, and these may also 

 develop into flower shoots. 



Leaf.— The first foliage leaf emerges from a slit in the 

 cotyledon. AU leaves are very thick and fleshy, and over- 

 lapping. There is no petiole. 



The oldest leaves are on the 



lM<; 00 —A, base of stem of common onion (Allium cepa) showmg hollow 

 leaves cut across; B. cross-section of hollow stem of same: C. base of stem o 

 leek (Allium porrum) showing flattened solid leaves; D. cross-section of solid 

 stem of same. 



outside of the Inill). while the younger appear toward the 

 inside. In a longitudinal section of the bulb, it will be noted 

 that these younger leaves, coming from within, are higher 

 on the compressed stem than the older (Fig. 14)- The 

 edible "portion of the common onion, and of some other 



