29 



the jack-in-the-pulpit. When tlie plant was cooked, the water 

 was the color of weak tea and the plant itself lost most of its 

 flavor and the property which gave it the biting character. 



Roots. — The plant is a very difificult one to collect in its 

 entirety, owing to its ininiense rootage. One must dig over a 

 foot down into the soil before there is even the slightest sign of 

 the roots giving way. There is a large central root-stock almost 

 the size of a potato and from this great numbers of roots arise 

 and grow downward for almost two feet in length. They are 

 very long, rather straight and unbranched excepting for a few 

 almost thread-like offshoots. 



All the older roots are peculiar in having ring-like markings or 

 wrinkles on them. These are especially seen near the upper or 

 older end of the root. They are contractile roots and are peculiar 

 to a few plants. Their general purpose is to pull the plant back 

 into the ground as it grows up every year. By a process of 

 contraction the roots wrinkle up and draw the plant down into 

 the soil. The roots are permanently wrinkled after this con- 

 traction. 



The root structure shows large loose cells and a single, radial 

 central stele. The cells around the outer cortex, near the epi- 

 dermis are particularly loose. This is due to the contraction 

 of the epidermis. 



Department of Botany, 



University of Pennsylvania 



Explanation of Plates 



Fig. I. Outside of Spathe of Skunk Cabbage. 



Fig. 2. Double Spathe. 



Fig. 3. Dissection of Spathe to show Spadixw'th Flowers. Spadix with extra 

 long Peduncle. 



Fig. 4. Single Flower of Skunk Cabbage. 



Fig. 5. Flower with depression of two outer Perianth Segments. 



Fig. 6. Flower laid open showing four Stamens and Pistil. 



Fig. 7. Floral Diagram. 



Figs. 8, 9, 10, 14. Early Stages in the Germination of the Seeds of the Skunk 

 Cabbage. 



Fig. II. Closely rolled Leaves with Netted V'eining. 



Fig. 12. One of the first and outermost Leaves with Parallel \'eining. 



Fig. 13. A contractile Root. 



