68 Maslen . — The Relation of Root to Stem in Catamites. 
in a line with the outgoing leaf-traces, thus confirming the evidence of the 
root shown in Fig. 2. Moreover, if a comparison is made of similar sections 
showing lateral branches and roots (e. g. Fig. 3 and Williamson’s figure 1 ), 
it will readily be seen that whereas the branches are well above the node 
and consequently a considerable distance above the level of the infra-nodal 
organs, the roots are at the node and within a much shorter distance of the 
infra-nodal organ of the medullary ray immediately below. 
Fig. 4 is from a slide (552 S) cut from the same specimen as that from 
which Figs. 2 and 3 were made. The section is tangential of the main stem 
as before, but is cut farther out in the secondary xylem, as is shown by the 
continuous character of the wood (x.s.), which is only broken by the infra- 
nodal organs shown at i. n. o. The slide shows the same two roots as before 
(as well as traces of others from the same node), and one of these is seen in 
the photograph. The roots are now farther out in the wood ; they show 
the usual ‘ Astromyelon * structure, and there is no doubt as to their root 
nature. Comparing this figure with Figs. 2 and 3 it will be seen that the 
root is somewhat lower, for whereas in the latter sections the roots are 
distinctly above the level of the infra-nodal organs ( i.n.o .), in Fig. 4 the 
centre of the root is about in a line with them. The root, therefore, probably 
sank a little in its passage through the secondary wood of the stem. 
Fig. 5 (slide 553 S) is also from the same specimen, and the slide shows 
the same two roots. The latter are now still farther out, and the one 
figured is nearly free from the wood of the parent axis. Its root structure 
is now very clear. 
There can be no doubt then that Figs. 2, 3, 4, and 5 represent roots 
arising on a stem and apparently exactly at a node of the latter. The 
differences between the stem and root branches will be clearly seen by 
comparing our figures with those in Williamson and Scott’s Memoir on the 
stem 2 . The latter figures show that the stem-branches arise considerably 
above the outgoing leaf-trace bundles, and that they soon develop the 
characteristic protoxylem canals which are quite absent from the roots. 
The next figures are from sections cut from another specimen. This 
was collected by Mr. Knott at Fieldhouse Colliery, Huddersfield, and is 
a decorticated stem from one and a half to two inches in diameter, and 
about five inches long. It is clearly the basal portion of a stem, as it shows 
several verticils of adventitious roots. The block has been cut into no less 
than forty-six longitudinal and transverse sections by Mr. Lomax. Fig. 6 is 
from one of the longitudinal sections of this series (slide j i M). The stem 
(s.) is cut radially, and medullary rays (m.r.) are clearly seen passing 
through the secondary wood. The section also passes radially through 
a large root (r.), which sinks gradually in its passage outwards. The con- 
nexion of the pith of the root with that of the stem can be seen. William- 
x Loc. cit. 2 Loc. cit. Further Observations, &c., Part I, PI. LXXII, Figs. 5 and 6. 
