BULBOUS PLANTS. 91 



a considerable distance from the base or disc, but attached to the disc 

 by a root-like formation which continues active, after the swollen base 

 of the leaf is dead, in supplying nutriment to the young bulb until it 

 sends out roots. When this little root-like process is of no further use it 

 gradually shrivels up. Afterward the young bulbs grow apace and rob 

 the soil of the nourishment intended for the parent bulb. This provision 

 evidently shows that the Vallota naturally grows deep in the soil and 

 is intended to raise the bulblets near to the surface before taking root. 

 These bulblets, unless intended for increasing the stock, should be 

 removed as soon as they make their appearance above the soil. 



