PROPAGATION OF SOLANUM BY TUBERS 317 



buds in the aerial axils, and also the flower buds, may undergo 

 transformations that enable them to undergo rejuvenescence and 

 give rise to new individuals; a capacity exhibited by ordinary 

 buds of an enormous number of plants, when severed from the 

 plant by artificial methods and given proper cultural conditions. 



412. Bulbs of Narcissus. Dissect a number of bulbs of Nar- 

 cissus. These structures will be found to be simply buds with a 

 short stem sheathed with thickened scales. Branches of the stem 

 may be seen, bearing small bulbs of similar structure. Germinate 

 one of the bulbs. Place the dissected parts of a second in the 

 moist chamber and ascertain what parts are capable of giving rise 

 to new plants. Identify the storage material. What is the fate 

 of the stem and scales in reproduction by the germination of the 

 entire bulb ? Repeat the above tests with any member of the lily 

 family, or Bicuculla (Dicentra). 



413. Propagation of Arisaema by Buds. Examine a number 

 of corms of Arisaema in the autumn or early spring. Each corm 

 will be found to consist of a thickened stem consisting of a few 

 compressed internodes, the terminal one bearing a single bud 

 sheathed by a prophyll consisting of a scale with its edges united 

 to form a conical sheathing cover. Smaller buds may be seen 

 at various points on the upper margin of the corm marking the 

 position of internodes. Some of these lateral buds may have de- 

 veloped a small corm which becomes detached from the parent 

 at the close of the first season of its growth, and which repro- 

 duces the entire plant. Germinate some of these lateral buds, or 

 those derived from A. Dracontium, and it may be seen that the 

 new individual does not attain the adult form and flower until the 

 second or third year. The leaves produced the first year are of 

 the juvenile form and resemble those of the seedling of the sec- 

 ond year's growth. Observe the action of any arum in the ger- 

 mination of the corms, and repeat the above tests with Gladiolus. 



414. Propagation of Solanum by Tubers. Place a number of 

 potatoes in a moist chamber and note the development of buds near 

 the apical end of the tuber. Cut these out with a sharp pointed. 



