1892. ] Certain Species of Erythronium. 327 
E. albidum usually sends out but two (though sometimes 
specimens are found with but one such rhizome), a strong vig- 
orous one and a second that is weaker and smaller. In E. 
Americanum the number is usually from three to five, success- 
ively diminishing in size, all more or less coiled and twisted. 
In E. albidum they are much straighter and somewhat deeper 
rooted. E. mesochoreum never produces such rhizomes, so 
far as we have observed, either in the one-leaved or in the two- 
leaved forms. 
Herein we readily find an explanation for the multitude of 
the one-leaved forms of both E. albidum and E. Americanum 
wherever they occur; for in the case of the first species where 
this year was but one plant, next year will be two; and in the 
case of the second species even a greater number will appear, 
a plant for each new rhizome. Thus it is that whole slopes 
of shaded ravines become carpeted with these beautifully 
mottled leaves. Only one here and there of the thousands is 
destined to develop a corm without offshoots, which in a sea- 
son or two may send up a flowering scape to produce seed 
and propagate its species sexually. : 
ight here arises an interesting question: What selective 
power is it that determines the one in the ten thousand, which 
is thus to reach fruiting? 
such rhizomes producing corms at their extremities 
in this 
seedlings soon to become fertile flowering forms. Hence It 
is that where-this plant is established there is no lack of bloom 
Part of their blooming season; but those of the latter species 
are usually broader and flatter than those of the former. e 
ave noticed that this mottling disappears to 4 great extent, 
“specially in E. albidum, as the season advances, the color be- 
