206 NOTES ON LILIES 



of last year's growth, Init those of three or four year*? of age. I AM OF 

 OPINION THAT THE OLD BULB DOES NOT DECAY EVERT 

 YEAR. I cannot now, from want of careful investigation, say much 

 about the mode of vegetation of ther Rhizomatous group, but I may state, 

 that even among these, a different mode of vegetation takes place." 

 Garden, vol. 13, p. 252. 



26. 1 cannot understand how if it be true, as Dunedin asserts, * that Lily 

 bulbs are all annual in growth, and that each year, the old bulbs disappear- 

 entirely, and new bulbs succeed large bulbs are built up.' We import 

 from Japan, every year, hundreds of bulbs, measuring 12 to 14 or 1C 

 inches in circumference, many weighing a pound each. In many of these is 

 plainly visible a hole, wherein the base of the old stalk has been attached ;; 

 this is generally situated, not in the centre, not outside the bulb, but 

 having, say, one-third of the bulb on one side, and two-thirds of the bulb 

 on the other, I can detect no difference in appearance in the scales, in the 

 majority of these bulbs, they all look equally fresh, plump, and healthy. 

 Is it possible, that these are entirely new bulbs, embracing Mark ! not 

 lying to one side of the old flower stem ; if so, how did the new growth 

 manage to encircle* the stem, and what has become of the old bulb ?' 

 N. B. The bulbs of Auratuin- which are imported into Europe, are dag up 

 in Japan, mostly in the months of October or November. The same 

 remarks will apply more or less, to the production of all large bulbs. 

 * Compare the figures of Hansoni and Spedosum, pages 109 and 110. 



