222 Introduction to Botany. 



its end. Erythronium mesochorium does not produce off- 

 shoots, but each year a new bulb is formed which pushes 

 down a little below the parent bulb within which it remains 

 inclosed, so that the scars of last year's roots may be found 

 a little higher than the new roots of the current season. 



After the plant has reached the age of flowering the 

 rudiments of next year's leaves and flowers are already 

 formed in the bulb before the leaves of the current season 

 ripen and wither away. With plenty of food stored about 

 them in the thick coats of the bulb the young leaves and 

 flowers are able to unfold quickly in the first days of spring. 

 The advantage of an early start in the spring is evident for 

 a low plant whose habitat is grassland, where it is in 

 danger of being browsed after the grasses appear, or wood- 

 land, where the foliage of trees shuts out the light. 



The way in which the two leaves enfold and protect the 

 flower bud, while the hard tip of the outer leaf breaks a 

 way through the ground, is admirable. 



Sprengel says of the European species, Erythronium 

 dens-canis, that the thin basal part of the ovary secretes 

 the nectar, the inner perianth segments having two auricles 

 at the base of each, between which and the nectary the 

 nectar is conserved. Loew and Briquet conclude that 

 the nectar is secreted by the lower part of the perianth 

 segments below the auricles. See how the species in hand 

 agrees with these statements. 



The hanging position of the flower seems to unfit it for 

 self pollination or cross pollination by wind. The coloration 

 of the perianth and the secretion of nectar point to insects 

 as agents for cross pollination. Bees are known to be 

 frequent visitors. 



The Erythronium s are excellent for showing the main 

 characteristics of the lily family. Other genera should be 



