14 H. M. Neisler on the Common Cane. 
Art. II.—Notes on the Habits of the Common Cane, (Arundinaria 
macrosperma, Michx.); by Hugu M. NEIsLerR, Corresponding 
Member of the Essex Institute, Salem, Mass. 
THE common cane, as it springs from the seed, bears no slight 
resemblance to some of our coarser and more reedy Panicums; 
rising, during the season of its growth, according to the more or 
less favorable circumstances of its locality, from the height of a 
few inches to that of several feet, forming a straight unbranched 
culm, with a bud at every node. The culm itself completes its 
entire growth the first season, and though it endure for years, 
even to the time of its flowering and fruiting, never afterwards 
increases in height, only becoming tougher and stronger by the 
gradual deposition of siliceous matter on its surface, and ligneous 
matter in its substance, 
The second year, circumstances being favorable, its lateral buds 
are developed—forming slender, upright branches—whose growth 
in length likewise terminates with the season, and which rarely 
grow much higher than the summit of the culm. 
The third year, the buds of these lateral branches are developed, 
and they, in their turn, form other lateral branches with their 
buds, and thus the plant continues to grow until it flowers and 
fruits, until its existence is terminated by accident, or it becomes 
o much crowded that there is no longer room for its growth in 
this manner. However, the buds of one season do not invaria- 
bly put forth the next; but, if circumstances are unfavorable to 
their development, they may remain dormant for a time, and 
then put forth or eventually perish. 
The first year, besides the growth already described, the plant 
throws off one or more subterranean culms, popularly termed 
“chain roots,” differing from the others only in being white, 
i d with imperfect 
Pe, ee 
pals and shaded by that which grows up the next, it dies out 
ually and gives place to the larger cane of some future sea- 
son ; hence arises the great uniformity in size, observable gener- 
ally in the plants of a cane-brake. . 
