54 MONOCOTYLEDONE^. 



Fig. 22. 



It is further worthy of remark concerning the 

 constitution of the radicle plate or collet of bulbs, 

 that its vitality is such, that if parts of it be detached 

 they will produce new bulbs. And in some species, 

 even the scales, or parts of them, will be formed into 

 new plants if placed in favourable circumstances. If 

 the scape of a narcissus be pulled out from among 

 the leaves, having- a part of the radicle plate attached, 

 and planted in the soil, it will continue to live and 

 form bulbs for itself. 



Among the orders Melanthacece^ Tulipacea, and 

 Asphodelece there are many whose protuberant stems 

 are so constituted as to make it difficult to determine 

 whether they should be designated bulbs or tubers ; 

 so that the modern term bulbous tuber is quite 

 appropriate. The white and orange lilies are called 

 squamose bulbs ; and though they resemble bulbs in 



