48 MONOCOTYLEDONS^. 



sated, and but little elongated during the growth ; but 

 the inner ones, partly attached to the scape, rise 

 therewith and gain considerable amplitude. The 

 scape, flower, &c., need no description. 



It does not appear that there is any definite limit- 

 to the number of vital essences contained in the 

 radicle plate ; it is only destructible by insects, too 

 much moisture, or extremes of temperature. So long, 

 therefore, as it remains uninjured, so long is it capable 

 of producing perfect progeny. Even if kept in a 

 place where the senior gem cannot be developed, the 

 radicle plate can, from its inherent energy, send forth 

 numerous offsets, without the assistance of leaves or 

 any other superior member of the system. Thus the 

 tulip is a perennial by the succession of individual 

 parts rising seriatim for an indefinite length of 

 time. 



The hyacinth is constituted like the tulip, and 

 produces seeds and offsets in a similar manner ; only 

 the first abbreviated leaves, which form the exterior 

 of the bulb, are more persistent, withering imper- 

 ceptibly, and consequently have a more permanent 

 character ; these appear to have an identity from 

 one season to another, which they really have not, 

 for every bulb undergoes a positive transformation 

 internally, inasmuch as a new gem, to flower next 

 year, is swelled into volume as the successor of 

 that which has flowered in this. The full-grown 

 hyacinth bulb, as well as those of the polyanthus 

 narcissus, are always larger than the tulip, owing to 



