The Polygonum viviparum produces a flowering 
stem from three to six inches high ; and at the same 
time as its flowers become, from their small green 
buds, more and more developed, the growth of a dis- 
tinct progeny will be proceeding below them, from the 
same stem. These consist of a number of brown or 
reddish buds or bulbs, as seen in our figure, each of 
them not only capable of forming a distinct plant, for 
perpetuating its species, but capable of that deve- 
lopement whilst on its parent stem. Thus it is per- 
fectly analogous to a common bud, which is put forth 
by the stem, and afterwards breaks into foliage ; re- 
ceiving its nutriment from its parent branch. 
But it is also analogous to what is usually distin- 
guished as a bulb; having all the requisite powers 
of vegetation within itself; for the bulbs to which 
we have alluded, may be removed either before or 
after they have vegetated, and being scattered on or 
beneath the soil, they continue to grow, receiving 
nourishment through the medium of their spongy 
caudex or reservoir of juices, till small fibres are 
produced to collect it from the earth. 
This plant we have cultivated during the last ten 
years, but it never has produced seeds ; which is 
probably occasioned by the exhaustion of its fluids 
in the maintenance of the bulbs. Possibly, if these 
were removed as soon as they appear, the whole 
nutriment of the stein being given to the flowers, 
seeds would be fully matured. Nature generally 
possesses reserved means of reproduction ; and the 
frustration of one intention, gives action to another. 
It is so easily increased by its little bulbs that it 
is only necessary to recommend a shady situation. 
Hort. Kew. 2, v. 2, 417. 
