227 



The rhizome is creeping and has many adventitious roots 

 which are arranged without order upon the internodes (Fig. 37 

 A). It branches, and produces runners which bear scale-leaves. 

 The runners proceed principally from the base of the ascending 

 stem. The reason why it remains more tufted and crowded than 

 does C. alternifolium in temperate climates, should probably be 

 sought in the fact that its runners are generally shorter than 

 are those in our plants. 



The rosette-leaves are long-stalked foliage-leaves (Fig. 37). 

 From the axils of these also, runners are given off. Vegeta- 

 tive propagation takes place by the runners becoming inde- 

 pendent. 



Fig. 38. Chrysosplenium alternifolium var. tetranärum. 



Diagrams of a complete {A) and of a diandrous flower (ß) with the adjacent parts of the 

 inflorescence (nat. size). (E. W., 1886.) 



In the diagram of the flower shown in Fig. 38, the different 

 parts are seen arranged in 5 alternating pairs. The two lateral 

 stamens are often aborted (Fig. 38 B], in which case they be- 

 come smaller than the normal ones, and their anthers diiïer in 

 form and may be quite transparent and pale (Fig. 39 £", F). In 

 a more closely-investigated specimen it was observed that the 

 pollen-forming cell-layer had begun to extend itself, but had 

 stopped, even before the primary mother-cells of the pollen 

 were developed (Fig. 39 G). 



In the spirit-material which I have had for examination, 

 the perianth-leaves were not spreading, but erect (Fig. 39 Ä — C) ; 

 in the principal form, from Denmark, they are spreading, as 

 shown in Fig. 40. The diameter of the flower is consequently 

 greater in the latter form. 



15* 



