124 



CORM 



[CH. 



the leaves and flowers of this year ; just behind this 

 ascending terminal bud, is found a smaller one the bud 

 for next year developed from the axil of a scale-leaf. 



If with this we compare the corm of a Crocus, the 

 resemblances are obvious. The corm is, in fact, a short, 

 swollen stem-base, with a series of scale-leaves surrounding 

 a bud, at its apex, and bearing roots below. Buds may 

 also arise from the axils of the scale-leaves, and so the 

 corm may have more than one on its upper surface. 



Fig. 53. Crocus. A. Crocus sativus in flower; B. Same in fruit; 

 ^ nat. size. C. Flower dissected showing lower (s) and upper (s f ) mem- 

 branous spathes ; the style has been removed from the perianth-tube. 

 D. Fruit beginning to split, | nat. size. E. Corm of C. vernus cut 

 lengthwise, ^ nat. size; a, base of last year's shoot; 6, bud of shoot 

 which will develop on germination (Maw). 



But the scale-leaves, and the buds in their axils, need 

 not arise high up on the tuberous stem of the corm ; but 

 may spring from its sides, or even near its base e.g. 

 Colchicum, Eranthis, &c. In Colchicum in fact we have 

 one internode only, the lowest, swelling up as the reservoir 



