278 
IV. O. Howarth. 
Sections taken across the younger internodes of grandi/lora 
show the cortex to be entire and composed of large parenchy¬ 
matous cells loosely placed. Stomata occur occasionally in the 
epidermis of both forms. 
In older rhizomes the scale-leaves wither and split into shreds. 
In grandiflora the tissues outside the fibrous zone practically 
disappear, but in tenuifolia they tend to persist, though shrivelled. 
COrt^x 
Fig. 8. a, Transverse section of internode of grandiflora. b , Ditto of 
tenuifolia. X75. c, Fibres of pericycle in trails, sect. X360. 
2. The Shoot. 
As the rhizome axis continues into that of the shoot, and 
successive leaf-sheaths are given off, there is a gradual diminution 
in its diameter. The vascular bundles from the sheaths pass into 
the axis. The midrib maintains its identity through two internodes, 
but the lateral bundles form lateral plates on which the steles 
of the nodal roots are inserted. The rest of the ground tissue 
is parenchymatous; the cells are rich in protoplasmic contents and 
starch. The tissues maintain their extensibility, the internodes 
remaining capable of elongation, 
