. The Annals and magazine of natural history. Natural history; Zoology; Botany; Geology. Mr. G. Dickie on the Gemma of Polygonum viviparum. 55 IX.—Additional Observations on the Gemmce of Polygonum viviparum. By George Dickie, Esq., , Lecturer on Botany in the University and King's College, Aberdeen. A description of the Gemmae of Polygonum viviparum having been already given in the 32nd Number of the Annals, the following account of their original development, and of their manner of growth, will serve to complete the history of these remarkable bodies. Having procured in the early part
. The Annals and magazine of natural history. Natural history; Zoology; Botany; Geology. Mr. G. Dickie on the Gemma of Polygonum viviparum. 55 IX.—Additional Observations on the Gemmce of Polygonum viviparum. By George Dickie, Esq., , Lecturer on Botany in the University and King's College, Aberdeen. A description of the Gemmae of Polygonum viviparum having been already given in the 32nd Number of the Annals, the following account of their original development, and of their manner of growth, will serve to complete the history of these remarkable bodies. Having procured in the early part of the season, from a locality in this neighbourhood, very young flower stems, both flowers and gemmae were carefully dissected; the former (which invariably occupy the summit of the flower stems) were much more advanced than the latter. Fig. I. represents one of these magnified. Two nearly co- nical processes are seen placed side by side ; on separating these, two similar bodies are seen in the interior alternating with the former; by tearing asunder these last, two others are seen similarly inclosed (figs. 2„ and 3.); the difference in length. and breadth of the two innermost is now more conspicuous than in the two outer. Each of these concentric bodies may be considered, the one as a young leaf and the other a bud in its axil. They are all of a very delicate texture and pale co- lour ; at this period the mass of cellular tissue enclosing starch grains is not developed, neither have the pink cells alluded to in the former paper yet appeared. The bud at the apex of each body is therefore first formed, and afterwards a quantity of fecula is stored up at its base. A considerable number of perfectly formed gemmae, shortly after being gathered from the mature flower stem, were planted in a pot of mould, the apex of each alone protruding from the soil; they were daily supplied with water. A few days after being planted, a young leaf appeared at the summit of each, the petioles
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