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DOMESTIC BOTANY. 



Tuhercorms consist of a fleshy stem-like body, vary- 

 ing in form from round and nearly flat to globose, 

 oblong, cylindrical or conical, and in size from an inch 

 to three feet in d'ameter, producing leaves and flower 

 stems from their centre or apex ; beet, yam, several 

 kinds of convolvulus, bryony, &c., are underground 

 examples ; the above-grcund ones are turnip, cyclamen, 

 wild chervil (Leontice), several kinds of vine (Cissus), 

 fleshy geranium and other plants of like nature, natives 

 of South Africa. 



Rhizomat is a term applied to all fleshy roots creep- 

 ing on or under the surface, and emitting roots from no 

 definite point on their under side, of which some kinds 

 of Begonias and water lilies are examples. This and the 

 preceding terms refer to plants with net- veined leaves 

 only. 



Rhizocorm. — The rhizome is a creeping root- stock, 

 its limits of extension being indefinite, producing leaves 

 and flowers from its progressing bud. It is either 

 simple or branched, thick and fleshy as in common iris, 

 sweet flag, and Indian shot (Canna) ; or slender, as in 

 lily of the valley, Solomon's-seal, and part of the Arum 

 family. Many kinds of creeping roots are called rhizomes, 

 but a true rhizome is known by the leaves, when mature, 

 falling away from the stem as by a joint, leaving a round 

 mark or scar, and restrictedly with the following, includes 

 only plants with parallel-veined leaves. 



Bulbocorm is a term applied to solid fleshy bodies, 

 generally known as bulbs ; they grow erect, and mul- 

 tiply by buds (ofi"sets) from their base or sides, the 

 crocus, gladiolus, belladonna lily, narcissus, and others 

 of the Iris and Amaryllis families being examples, as 

 also the cultivated Taras and other bulb roots of the 



