58 



Elementary Botany 



axils smaller bulbs or buds kjnown as doves or bulbils (a, fig. 

 86), There are two forms of bulb. When the inner scales 

 are fleshy, and are covered by thin membranous ones, the bulb 

 is said to be tunicated, as in the Onion. If there be no outer 

 tunic, as in the Lily, the bulb is said to be scaly or naked. 



l''lG. 86. — Scaly (squamose) bulb of 

 the Onion : b, plate or disc ; /z, 

 bulbils. 



Fig. 87.— Corm of Gladiolus segeium, a, 

 longitudinal section : a, last year's, ^, this 

 year's bulb ; c, scape ; d, scales ; a-, roots ; n, 

 after removal of the enveloping scales : j', 

 bud, which will develop into next year's corm; 

 ^, bulbil. 



/. The corm differs from the bulb in being much more solid, 

 consisting of a larger disc and fewer scale-leaves. Examples 

 are to be met with in the Gladiolus, Snowdrop, Crocus, Col- 

 chicum, etc. 



