4 INTRODUCTION. 



perfection, and perishing this year, to be suc- 

 ceeded in following years by the junior successors 

 in endless train ! 



A coated or tunicated bulb is exemplified in 

 the hyacinth. This is a distinction without a 

 difference ; it being only a pecuhar modification 

 of the foregoing. The bulb being formed by the 

 gouty bases of some of the last and this year's 

 leaves, embracing those, together with the stem 

 and flower, which are to be expanded in the 

 next. 



These bulbs have also a radical base or plate, 

 which produces the proper roots belonging to the 

 senior portion of the plant then in the course of 

 developement ; but which are deciduous soon 

 after the decay of the stem and leaves. Thus 

 shewing, that each division of the bulb is fur- 

 nished with its own radical base, roots, leaves, 

 stem, flower, and fruit. 



In the case of these or similar bulbs, if in any 

 year they are permitted to perfect their seeds, the 

 viviparous powers of the system are less active ; 

 their formation, satisfying as it were the impulse 



