12 MEMBERS OF PLANTS. 



itself, as might at first sight be supposed. Bulbs 

 indeed, have often, by inaccurate writers, been mis- 

 taken for a species of roots, though these are never 

 scaly. 



The bulb 1 is very similar to, if not identical with, 

 what is termed a bud, when found on a stem or branch, 

 and is formed by the base of the leaves becoming 

 thick, and storing up a quantity of nourishment within 

 them for future use. These base-leaves take the 

 form of concentric plates 2 , as in the onion, or scales 

 placed somewhat like tiles 3 , as in the lilies. In the 

 daffodil, the snowdrop, and hyacinth, the plates of the 

 bulb may be seen in the spring to expand into leaves, 

 and the flower-stalk, previously short and minute, to 

 rise up with the flower-buds at the summit. 



Bulbous Roots cut asunder. a, tulip ; b, lily ; c, onion. 



(1) In Latin, Bulbus. (2) In Latin, Tunicatus. 



(3) In Latin, Imbricatus. 



