56 PLANT STUDIES 
leaf display, and as a rule such stems do not produce 
many foliage leaves, but the leaves are apt to be large. 
FIG. 46. A common fern, showing the underground stem (rootstock), which sends the 
few large foliage leaves above the surface. After ATKINSON. 
The subterranean position is a good one, however, for 
purposes of protection against cold or drought, and when 
the foliage leaves are killed new ones can be put out by 
