PRACTICAL WORK 269 



the present corm is the swollen base. The scar at the bottom is 

 the attachment of the present to last year's corm, which has 

 shrivelled and fallen off. Note the circle of young roots ready 

 to grow out round this scar. 



With a sharp knife cut longitudinally through the corm, taking 

 care to pass through the terminal scar and through one of the buds 

 at the top of the corm, and note in the bud (a) the external scale 

 leaves, (6) the rudiments of the foliage leaves, (c) one or more flower 

 buds. Make a drawing of the cut face showing the vascular 

 cylinders passing to the top scar and to the buds. Test the cut 

 surface for starch. 



(7) Compare the flowering stage of the Crocus plant, and note 

 the swelling at the bases of the aerial shoots which will become 

 the new corms. 



Bulb. 



(8) Tulip, autumn stage. Cut longitudinally exactly through 

 the centre of the bulb. Note the disc-shaped stem at the base 

 with point of attachment to the old bulb, rudiments of roots, 

 membranous protective scales, fleshy bulb scales, terminal bud 

 of aerial shoot with rudiments of foliage leaves and flower. 

 Look for a small bud or buds in the axils of the bulb scales. 

 Test the cut bulb scales with iodine. 



(9) Examine the flowering stage and note the roots grown out 

 from the edge of the bulb stem, and the flowering shoot developed 

 from the summit of the bulb. Cut longitudinally through the 

 bulb and note the flabby depleted bulb scales, and the new bulb 

 or bulbs arisen from the axillary bud or buds seen in (8). 



(10) Examine any other examples of underground shoots or 

 of vegetative propagation that may be available. 



