the bud on the rootstock is a much smaller bud, that now shows 

 only a pair of protecting scales about a solid mass of tissue. 

 This bud will carry the underground stem on an inch or two next 

 year and develop the bud for year after next. 



In situations similar to that where the False Solomon's Seal 

 was found one may find an irregular mass of dark brown root- 

 stocks with a yellowish white bud pointing up at the end of 

 each of the many branches, the winter condition of the wild 

 geranium (Geranium maculatiim) . Here the scales that protect 

 the bud are two-lobed. The outer one may show three or five 

 tiny brown points in the notch, the next a rudimentary five- 

 lobed leaf. These first leaves were not meant to develop, the 

 petiole united with the stipules, being used only for protection. 

 Under three or four of these scales are the leaves, the five or 

 seven divisions folded on each other and bent forward to touch 

 the stipules folded around the next leaf, which shows pale orange 

 red through their waxy white sides. Within the last pair of 

 stipules is the flower cluster. The leaflets on the flower stalk 

 and a series of delicate bracts surround the tiny buds. The 

 tips of the sepals, mere points when the flower opens, are now 

 like gnomes' caps covering the petals and stamens. 



In similar ways the anemones, buttercups, early meadow rue, 

 Solomon's seal, dog-tooth violet and other spring flowers may 

 be found at any time the ground can be dug from September on. 

 It should add to the interest of winter hikes to know that these 

 flowers are already waiting below ground for the coming of 

 spring; it will certainly be a fascinating experience to open one 

 of these buds and examine the leaves and flowers with a pocket 

 lens. 



Explanation of pJate I 



Fig. I. Hepatica, {Htpatica acuiiloha). 



Plant, X 2 ; bud opened to show flower buds and leaf cluster at center, X 2 ; 

 section of flower bud, X 5. 



Fig. 2. Wild Geranium, {Geranimn maciilatufn). 



Rootstock, X I ; terminal bud with outer scales removed, same witn leaves 

 removed to show flower bud, one of outer scales with leaf rudiment, leaf 

 with stipules spread out, all X 4; flower bud in section, X 25. 



Fig. 3. Spring Beauty, {Claytonia virginica). 



Plant, X 2 ; flower cluster, X 8. 



Fig. 4. False Solomon's Seal, {Smilacina racemosa). 



Rootstocks, X I ; bud in section, X 3; flower from bud, X 25. 



New York City. 



