REJUVENESCENCE IN NATURE. 25 



position of a subordinate process of propagation, among 

 a society of individuals, a developmental series, and a 

 family circle formed thereby. The subordinate nature 

 of this mode of propagation represented by the formation 

 of sprouts is expressed — 1. In the connection of the 

 formation of sprouts with the lower stages of develop- 

 ment of the plant. 3. In the imperfection of the 

 " sprout individual" in reference to the series of stages 

 of development which specifically belong to the plant. 

 3. In the complementary relations in which the various 

 sprouts of the same plant stand towards each other. 



In the first respect, all sprouts agree, with the ex- 

 ception of the seed-sprouts (commonly called ovules), 

 which as standing in the closest relation to sexual propa- 

 gation, may be here left out of consideration. All other 

 sprouts spring from the so-called vegetative region, while 

 inside the flower, omitting monstrous occurrences in 

 antholyses, no more formation of sprouts takes place. 

 The cataphyllary [Nieder-blatt) region, the euphyllary 

 {Laub) region, and the hypsophyllary {Hoch-blatt) region, 

 have more abundant or more sparing formation of sprouts 

 according to the peculiarity of the species of plant ; nay 

 the production of sprouts is not unknown, as already 

 mentioned, in the descending portion of the plant, the 

 root. How characteristic the formation of sprouts is of 

 the vegetable "stock" is shown by the circumstance that 

 there exists perhaps not one single plant wholly without 

 the formation of sprouts.* If this assertion look at first 

 strange, considering the number of plants which are 

 diagnosed with " caule simplici" and " simplicissimo," 

 more accurate examination of such plants as appear 

 to want the formation of sprouts, will readily confirm it. 

 A few instances may serve to bear this out. Cicendia 

 filifonnis is certainly one of the simplest plants in this 

 respect. A delicate threadlike stem bears a few pairs 

 of small euphyllary leaves and ends in a terminal blossom. 



* The leafless plants of the lowest ranks of Uie vegcUible kingdom arc 

 temporarily passed over in this assertion. 



