THE WHITE VERATRUM 121 



The leaves are interesting structures (Plate 

 XXVII., Fig. 1). The upper surface is concave 

 and the leaf is folded lengthways, so that a series 

 of ridges separated by grooves are formed. It is 

 believed that these ridges and grooves help to 

 direct rain, falling on the leaf, to the soil imme- 

 diately above the large underground stem. The 

 water collects in the concave leaves and trickles down 

 in the grooves to the base of each, and thus falls on 

 the soil immediately below the insertion of the spirally 

 arranged leaves on the stem. In this way a larger 

 quantity of water is probably brought within the 

 reach of the underground stem, than would be the 

 case if the rain-water dripped from the tips or edges 

 of the leaves. The fact is easily verified by the 

 experiment of pouring some water from a neighbour- 

 ing stream over the plant, and watching its course to 

 the soil. 



It is interesting to compare the young shoot of 

 a Veratrum (Plate XXVIII., Fig. 1) as it appears 

 forcing its way up above ground when the snow 

 is melting, with the fully expanded, mature plant 

 and its spreading leaves (Frontispiece, and Plate 

 XXVII., Fig. 1). The young shoot somewhat 

 resembles a compact form of cabbage. The leaves 

 are all held erect and closely wrapped round one 

 another, their tips being directed upwards, the whole 

 forming a compact, conical bud of large size, with a 

 few scale leaves at the base. If we cut one of 

 these shoots in two lengthways, we shall find the 



