132 
VEGETABLE STRUCTURE. 
On fpllting the lower half of the Bulb lengthwife, Fig. 4, along the 
centers of the two flowering parts, we perceive all diflinftly. The longer 
procefs of the Root, c, is joined to the part from which the Flower rofe 
this feafon, b : and there is another fliorter procefs, d, joined to the oppo- 
fite Shoot, which is to flow'er the Autumn following. If we examine the 
longer procefs, it is formed thus : a white firm fublfance, like that of the 
body of the Bulb, conflitutes its lower part ; and this is marked with 
three white lines in the center. Upon the head of this grow-^s a larger and 
looftr fubflance. Fig, 4, e j and from the head of this rifes the Tube of 
the Flower. That oblong and loofe fubflance is properly the Receptacle 
cf the Flower, analogous to what we fee in the other Plants. 
This is the conflrudtion of the part which furniflies the Flower of the 
prcfent Year; and that on the oppofite fide of the Root, is no way dif- 
ferent, but by being younger. The Fibres have a fmall thin head clofe 
under the Receptacle of the Flower, Fig. 4> f; and this head, with thofe 
Fibres, conflitutes the proper Root of the Colchicum : the Bulb is no Root; 
nor does it produce any thing. How far this may be the cafe in other 
folid Bulbs, deferves enquiry. In the coated kinds it is quite otherw'ife; 
the Bulb there is a Bud : the young Plant lies in its center, and the Fibres 
or Coats fall off as it rifes to perfcdion ; but here the Bulb contains no 
Rudiment of a Plant ; nor is it a Bud, or any thing of that nature. It is 
a Placenta, furnifhing the real Roots with their firll nourifliment. 
VvhiEN a Seed of Colchicum is fovvn, its firfl produce is the part f, Fig. 
The fmall head of the Pibrcs, to w'hich is conneded the Rudiment 
of the Bulb. This penetrating deeper into the earth, drags down a part 
of the Bulb with it, which forms the horn or procefs, a. Fig. 3. The 
body of the Bulb, Fig. 3, b, keeping its place higher : and at the very 
bafe of the flowering part. Fig. f, there is that thin original yellowifli 
callous fubflance, which is the proper and original Root of the Plant, 
and furnilhes tiie Fibres. This thin callous part is continued up the pro- 
cefs c. Fig. along the bafe of the Bulb, Phg. 4, g, where it forms the 
little head in the center, h, and from thence continues it courfe in the fame 
thin form, to the oppofite fide , where the little head, a. Fig. 4, is pro- 
duced : this is properly a Bud for the fucceeding year ; and it contains the 
Plant in miniature, which is then to flower. 
This is the true condition of the Colchicum: while the Plant, Fig. i. 
is about to flower, the Bud, Fig. 4, a, is formed ; and when .the Flower, 
Fig. A, b, has ripened its Seeds, and perilhes, then the Bud, Fig. 4, a, rifes, 
8 and 
