206 PROPAGATION. 



whether it is a filamental protrusion of its substance 

 only, is uncertain. We have stated repeatedly, that 

 that vital member descends with more celerity than 

 it proceeds in any other direction. Its appearance 

 on the disbarked stem of a tree shows this decidedly; 

 it flies from light, and seems to luxuriate in dark- 

 ness. At the base of a cutting, it often issues out before 

 the fibres are emitted ; and sometimes a cutting will 

 keep alive for several months, without other change 

 than having this protuberance at the lower end. 



It has been stated by some writers as a fact, that 

 the fibres formed by a cutting, appertain to the buds 

 situated above, in an especial manner. This idea has 

 been alluded to before ; and here we have only to 

 repeat, that though extremely plausible, it is not 

 easily proved. If, indeed, radicle fibres were never 

 exhibited in the absence of buds, we might be led to 

 adopt the opinion ; but when we see simple leaves, 

 those of the Camellia for instance, emit a fringe of 

 fibres without the assistance of either bud or stem, 

 we are compelled to doubt its accuracy. That these 

 essential parts progress together, and that they are 

 intimately connected, is perfectly obvious ; but they 

 are distinct organs nevertheless. It may just be 

 observed here, that the fibres produced from single 

 leaves, appear to be ejected from the incised part of 

 the petiole, which shows that slender portions of the 

 envelope are even protruded into the leaves. 



Cuttings of stove plants are sometimes readily 

 rooted, by being placed in small phials of water sunk 

 in the bark, or hot-bed. Experience has fixed the 



