ap eae a ee ee ell! 
DEVELOPMENT AND LIFE OF THE CORM 25 
taking place, growth and development of the parts of the plumule 
has taken place. The first leaf 
with its blade closely convolute 
and bent forward is pushed up 
by the rapidly elongating petiole 
(PLATE 3, FIG. 34). Without go- 
ing into greater detail, it has been 
found that first a primary root 
arises at the tip of the hypocotyl 
before any considerable enlarge- 
ment has taken place, and later 
one to three other roots appear 
at various points on the lower 
half of the young corm. The u 
structure and activities of these Fic. 30. A longitudinal section of 
roots will be considered in a seedling in Fic. 29, showing one end of the 
separate section. Taxt Fics, ‘tviedom, C. in the endosperm, LE, ane 
k the other carrying the plumule, P, into 
29-34 give the gross structure the soil 
and the changes during germi- Fic. 31. A later stage,—section of 
naton Pres. 34-40 (PLATE 3) Put of *eeting in ric. 31, showing ad- 
Shove the development ee the vanced plumule and the origin of the 
“ : secondary roots. 
seedling leaf. 
The papers cited leave the impression that a primary difference 
between the germination of A. triphyllum and A. Dracontium is 
in the fact that most seeds of the latter germinate blindly, i. e., 
without producing functional plumules the first season, while the 
seeds of the former universally produce functional plumules the 
first season. During three years the author has grown many 
A. triphyllum seedlings and has always found a considerable 
number of blind germinations. The following data from one 
season’s cultures will explain. Seeds were freed from the fruit 
pulp and planted in good moist loam in 20 cm. flower pots and 
given as nearly ideal conditions as possible. Careful record was 
made of all leaves appearing above ground during the growing 
season, and after all leaves were dead thg corms were removed 
and counted. 
Fics. 29-34. Germination of seed. 
767 
Difference, indicat ber of blind g inati 124, or 16 per cent. 
