MONOCOTYLEDONE^E. 45 



It may be observed of the Ananassa, Pandanece, 

 and all other plants of similar structure, that the 

 future growth depends more on roots which are to be 

 produced, than on those already in existence ; every 

 new whorl of leaves being- perfected by roots simul- 

 taneously exserted. It is this circumstance which 

 allows entire disrooting- with impunity when necessary 

 in their cultivation. 



We now approach the liliaceous tribes. They are 

 chiefly bulbous and tuberous stemmed plants, and as 

 varied in form and constitutional structure as their 

 flowers are splendid. The Melanihacece and Amaryl- 

 ride&i with the intermediate orders, compose the 

 group of herbaceous plants now to be noticed. 



Taking the tulip as a type of the bulbous stemmed 

 plants, it may be described in its perennial character 

 as being constitutionally composed of an indefinite 

 assemblage of vital entities, each of which is a 

 perfect plant, consisting of fibrous roots, leaves, 

 stem, flower, and seed, and which when, the last is 

 ripe, wholly dies. This assemblage of gems* are 

 seated and crowded together on or in what is called 

 " the radicle plate," which appears to be constituted 

 like the ovary of an animal, whence they are succes- 

 sively developed, either in the order of their seniority 

 or of their position. The highest or oldest of the 

 train developed this year, is succeeded by the second 



* Gems or germs, terms used to express the latent or invisible 

 principles of buds or flowers. 



