24 



CULTIVATION OF THE SUGAR CANE, 



of vegetables ; in other words, a gigantic grass. The form 

 of its stem is cylindrical, and it varies in length from six 

 to fifteen feet; it is usually from one and a-half to two 

 inches in diameter, and it is divided into joints, the length 

 of which vary from three to seven inches. Each joint is 

 composed of a number of small hexagonal tubes, which lie 

 parallel to each other and to the axis of the stem ; these 

 have no communication with each other, and terminate at 

 the spot where the joints are united, at which place they 

 come into contact with a complete network of minute 

 vessels. This vascular labyrinth seems designed both to 

 preserve the communication with the cells in the next 

 joint, to convey and elaborate the nutriment required by 

 the germ or bud which is situate at each of these inter- 

 sections, and by which the plant is propagated, and to 

 communicate with the leaf which is produced simul- 

 taneously with the joint, which it encircles and adheres to 

 until it is matured, and by the agency of which the 

 ligneous fibre, and the cellular and vascular tissues are 

 formed. The points of junction between the joints are 

 marked externally by a dark coloured narrow ring 

 encircling the cane,, being the part to which the inferior 

 termination of the leaf had been attached. This cincture 

 is bordered by a row of small circular spots, which pro- 

 duce radicles during germination, and at one portion of its 

 circumference the embryo bud is situated. The position of 

 this bud alternates in successive joints to exactly opposite 

 sides of the stem. 



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